Roadside Assistance Program

If you want to visit the site chosen for the 2010 Olympics alpine and Nordic skiing events before the athletes do,or better yet, make your reservations now so that you can be part of the action, the Four Seasons Resort Whistler comes highly recommended as the lodging to make as your Olympics base of operations.

“Four Seasons Resort Whistler in Whistler, British Columbia, has been chosen as the site for nordic and alpine skiing events in the 2010 Winter Olympics. And with reason: many skiers from around the globe name Whistler/Blackcomb as their preferred playground. The spring, summer, and fall seasons bring golfers, fishermen, boaters, river rafters, bikers, hikers, bungee jumpers, wildlife watchers, zipliners, and an assortment of other outdoor enthusiasts.

The village is about a two-hour drive north from Vancouver, along the Sea-To-Sky Highway. Getting there is half the fun, as the road follows Howe Sound (a glacially-formed fjord) up to dramatic vistas of British Columbia’s Coastal Range and the eternal snows that cap their peaks. Expect driving delays during the next few years as the winding highway is upgraded to accommodate the crowds coming in 2010. Good train service also runs between Vancouver and Whistler.

The Four Seasons Resort Whistler is far enough away from village center for secluded serenity, yet close enough to get to by foot; some of the best ski slopes on the continent are right outside the door. The architecture is “rustic modern”– a brilliant blend of West Coast, European, and Asian influences, featuring natural local grey stone, artistically combined with polished woods. A stunning sculptured metal screen of delicate interwoven tree branches, reminiscent of the nearby forest, separates the small lobby (on the second floor) from the staircase down to the bistro/bar, shops, and meeting rooms. There’s ample indoor parking with valet service available.

Travelers doing business in the region find Four Seasons Resort Whistler a practical place to stay, but this is a resort, so most business visitors here are attending a conference or convention in the hotel meeting rooms.

With fireplaces everywhere, the hotel is a lovely hideaway for a honeymoon or other romantic interlude. The entire village and valley is popular with the young and the young-at-heart who love the variety outdoor activities and the lively social scene.

But the resort mostly attracts families who want an adventurous travel experience. The Four Seasons Resort Whistler Kids for All Seasons program gives ski and snowboard lessons for children and organizes evening activities so Mom and Pop can go out on the town. The Kids for All Seasons program also offers various activities and adventures for youngsters, such as canoeing down the River of Golden Dreams. And the hotel’s extensive Kids On The Go menu offers veggie sticks, cheese sandwiches and the Gummie Bears, among other kid-friendly menu items.”
from Mobil Travel Guide

One of the many benefits of your Auto Roadside Assistance Service membership is access to Exxon/Mobil Travel Guide’s services and discounts. In order to help you appreciate those services this blog will regularly feature one of the thousands of destinations that you can consider for your next vacation.

Imagine teeing off against a backdrop of raw boulders and an azure blue sky. A visit to The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa in Scottsdale Arizona will give you that and so much more.

“Connect with your inner cowpoke during your next Scottsdale resort vacation. The Sonoran Desert offers some of the most scenic and rugged terrain in the western United States … and the Desert Jeep Adventures offers an exciting way to see it all. Make your way down desert washes and craggy roads as your expert driver regales you with the legends and lore of the desert. Experience trail life on the City Slickers Cattle Drive – where you’ll ride the range on your own “mount” alongside a trail boss, trail hands, and, of course, cattle. ee one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, from a jaw-dropping perspective, on the Grand Canyon Air Tour. Or Soar 1,000 feet up, and tour the Sonoran Desert during an exclusive Boulders Hot Air Balloon Flight.”

(Source)

One of the many benefits of your Auto Roadside Assistance Service membership is access to Exxon/Mobil Travel Guide’s services and discounts. In order to help you appreciate those services this blog will regularly feature one of the thousands of destinations that you can consider for your next vacation.

You love art deco, you crave some southern sunshine, an exuberant night life and superb dining. And you go nowhere without your dog. If that sounds like you then Loews Hotel Miami Beach is your vacation destination.

“Located in the heart of Miami’s hip South Beach community, Loews Hotel Miami Beach is a tropical Art Deco-infused resort that’s a perfect choice for family vacationers or for couples who want to be in the center of all the action. The original landmark hotel built in 1939, St. Moritz, is connected to the main hotel by a palm tree-lined corridor and is anchored by world-renowned Emeril’s restaurant. A striking promenade flanked by a large water fountain and landscaped tropical gardens offers guests direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and the hotel’s 20 private luxury cabanas.

The hotel’s entrance area is a dramatic corridor of palm trees opening to a large lobby with stately columns, grand staircases, and shell paintings on the walls. The subtle color palette of soft olive, tan, and white contributes to the contemporary Art Deco motif to create a comfortable and unpretentious ambiance.

Families will be very comfortable at the hotel, with such special amenities for kids as the Loews Loves Kids Program. There is also a unique program that tends to all of a pet’s vacation needs, such as bedding, grooming, and the proper diet.

Business travelers will be well pampered with more than 65,000 square feet of function space for corporate meetings and retreats. Access Managers are designated to help with all details of planning for small meetings.

Getaway travelers will enjoy how the hotel doesn’t lack entertainment opportunities in this world-famous beachfront community, with miles of beaches, historic tours in the nearby Art Deco District, and shopping and dining on world renowned Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road pedestrian promenades. Romantic travelers also can take advantage of the sexy Sobe nightclub scene when they don’t feel like being coupled up in the lush, tropical setting. Loews’ concierge staff is knowledgeable to direct guests to their destination, many of which are within walking distance of the hotel’s front door.

The concierges aren’t the only ones who will work hard to accommodate your requests. The hotel staff, overall, is very efficient and hospitable.

The hotel has successfully blended a touch of luxury to a fun-filled vacation for families, and provides romantic accommodations for couples wanting privacy, and a base from which to explore the vibrant South Breach community.

(+) Excellent location in the heart of South Beach; a good choice for families (pets encouraged) and couples or singles seeking action-packed environment.”

from Mobil Travel Guide

One of the many benefits of your Auto Roadside Assistance Service membership is access to Exxon/Mobil Travel Guide’s services and discounts. In order to help you appreciate those services this blog will regularly feature one of the thousands of destinations that you can consider for your next vacation.

You have spent the winter pouring over RV publications, gathering tips on the best travel routes. Your wife has caught you more than once seated behind the wheel of your home on wheels, gazing into the distance as if hypnotized. The call of the road is getting louder and louder as spring approaches.
If you do not want to have to call for roadside assistance this summer, the following pointers from Mark Polk at RV University will help keep your RV road worthy and ready for the first trip of the season.

• Depending on how your unit was winterized it will need to be de-winterized. If you used non-toxic RV antifreeze you need to run fresh water through the entire system until the antifreeze is gone. To remove it from the 12-volt water pump add water to the fresh water-holding tank, turn the pump on and open all water faucets. When antifreeze is out of the system turn the pump off and take the water heater out of the by-pass mode (if applicable). Re-install any water filter cartridges you removed for storage.
• At this point I like to sanitize the water system. Make sure all of the drains are closed and drain plugs are installed. Take a quarter cup of household bleach for every fifteen gallons of water your fresh water tank holds. Mix the bleach with water into a one-gallon container and pour it into the fresh water holding tank. Fill the fresh water holding tank completely full of water. Turn the pump on and open all faucets, run water until you smell the bleach. Close the faucets and let sit for twelve hours. Drain all of the water and re-fill the tank with fresh water. Turn the pump on and open all faucets until you no longer smell bleach. It may be necessary to repeat this process to eliminate all signs of bleach.
• With the water system under pressure Inspect for water leaks. Check the operation of the toilet
• Wash the unit thoroughly. This is a good time to inspect the roof and body seams, and window sealant for cracking that would allow water to get in. Consult a dealer for sealants compatible with these materials.
• Inspect the operation of the awning and check the awning fabric.
• Inspect the tires for signs of dry rot. Inflate all tires to the recommended COLD tire pressure.
• Lubricate all hinges and locks with spray lubricant.
• Remove any tape or protective covering you may have put over LP gas vents to keep insects and rodents out. Check any mousetraps you may have put out. Open all doors and compartments and check for rodent intrusion and water damage.
• Inspect and clean the interior.
• Plug in any appliances that you unplugged for storage and replace any dry cell batteries you may have removed. This is a good time to put new batteries in items like smoke alarms.
• Test the operation of the carbon monoxide alarm, LP gas leak detector and smoke alarm.
• Check the fire extinguisher. Be sure it is fully charged.
• Reset any breakers you may have turned off. If you removed any fuses for storage re-install them.
• Clean or replace air conditioner filters if it wasn’t done prior to storage and remove any covers that were put over air conditioners.
• Open vents and windows and air the unit out.
• If you removed the coach and chassis batteries for storage install them. Whether they were removed or not check the electrolyte levels, clean the terminals and clamps, and check the charge level in all batteries. Recharge batteries as necessary.
• Check the operation of the electric steps if applicable. Lubricate step mechanism.
• Test the operation of the hydraulic jacks if applicable. Check hydraulic fluid level.
• Test the operation of the back up camera and monitor if applicable.
• If you didn’t change the oil and filters in the generator prior to storage this is a good time to do it. Inspect the generator exhaust system for damage prior to starting. Start and run the generator for one hour with at least a half rated load on it. Consult the generators owner manual for load ratings.
• Turn the generator off and plug the unit into shore power. Turn the refrigerator on in the electric mode. Allow sufficient time to cool and check for proper operation.
• Check all 12-volt interior lights and accessories.
• Test the monitor panel for proper operation.
• Check the operation of slide outs if applicable.
• Check the remaining 120-volt appliances for proper operation.
• Test the Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) for proper operation.
• Turn the refrigerator off, leave the doors open and allow sufficient time for it to get to room temperature so it can be checked in the gas mode.
• Before I use the LP gas system I have a leak test and gas operating pressure test preformed. A qualified technician with the proper equipment should do these tests.
• After this is accomplished turn the LP gas valve on and check the operation of all LP gas appliances. Be sure the water heater is full of water before testing the water heater. If a gas appliance is not operating properly have it inspected by a qualified technician. Insects are attracted to the odorant added to LP gas and build nests that can affect the appliance from operating properly.
• If your unit was in long-term storage and you didn’t change the engine oil and filter prior to storage this would be a good time to do it
• Check all fluid levels in transmission, power steering, engine coolant, engine oil, windshield washer and brakes. Consult vehicle owner’s manual.
• Start the engine and check for proper readings on all gauges. Check for proper operation of dash air conditioner.
• A full chassis lubrication should be preformed if it wasn’t done prior to storage.
• Check the condition of windshield wiper blades replace in necessary.
• Check the operation of all chassis lights.
• Make sure the vehicle emissions / inspection sticker is up to date.
• In addition to this if you have a pop up or travel trailer the wheel bearings and brakes (if equipped) should be inspected at least once annually. Inspect any canvas for dry rot and tears; inspect all hitch work and the coupler for damage. Inspect the breakaway switch and pigtail for proper operation.

from RV University

We often do not think very much about the industries that serve us. The roadside service industry is no different than any other critical industry that serve us on our highways. They are subject to regulation, demand a high level of ethics and professionalism from their industry members, and just like the automobile industry regularly holds expos, so does the roadside service industry. Whether you call them wreckers or tow trucks, committed roadside service operators pride themselves on excellent service expediently rendered.
Bet you didn’t consider the safety implications were the industry not as efficient as it is. I hadn’t either,but the mayor of Houston recognizes it.

Houston, Texas – The number of freeway crashes dropped by 18 percent last year compared with 2004, according to a published report. Mayor Bill White credits the Safe Clear mandatory towing program, which began in January of 2005.

• 2004: 14,548

• 2005: 13,147

• 2006: 11,994

The figures, released under the Texas Public Information Act, show there were 2,500 fewer crashes on 13 freeway segments in Houston from 2004 to 2006.

White said that the $3 million towing program, launched in January 2005, has reduced crashes by quickly removing disabled vehicles that can lead to secondary wrecks. He said the figures vindicate the program, which has drawn political heat in the past and is still being attacked in federal court.

But a local towing group suing the city over Safe Clear expressed skepticism about the figures, as it did a year ago when White touted 2005 crash statistics as evidence Safe Clear was working. The Houston and Metropolitan Transit Authority police departments compiled the crash numbers.

Suzanne Poole, president of the Houston Professional Towing Association, which filed two federal lawsuits challenging the program, said she believes collisions are underreported.

White said the figures were accurate and based on the same criteria as statistics for the years prior to the program.

Poole also discounted the connection between a decrease in wrecks and Safe Clear, saying other factors such as weather and construction could skew the numbers.

But Tim Lomax, a research engineer with Texas A&M University’s transportation institute, said a statistical study he’s compiling would show a “large chunk” of the reduction can be attributed to the program. He said the program’s emphasis on getting vehicles off roadways quickly plays a role, because it reduces wrecks caused by freeway obstructions and rubbernecking motorists.

Lomax said he plans to cite the program as a model this month when he testifies before a U.S. House subcommittee with jurisdiction over federal transportation funding.

The program has been controversial since its inception. It was revised in the early days after complaints that it put an unfair burden on poor motorists, and the city agreed to pay for short tows. Motorists still pay for longer tows to repair facilities or other locations.

A federal judge also invalidated two key provisions in the policy last fall, prompting further revisions. A case brought by Poole’s group attacking those changes continues.

Source

So the next time you are stranded on the side of the road, consider the jeopardy you’d be in were it not for the state of excellence the roadside service industry has achieved.

Kirsten had to get home, she simply had to. The babysitter was scheduled to leave, her teenager needed to be picked up from practice and she was cold and wet. She peered through the pounding rain at the road ahead of her, trying to determine if the pool of water in front of her was just a shallow puddle of water or something more menacing.

Do not play a guessing game on flooded highways. When confronted with a body of water it is best to find an alternative route or seek higher ground and wait the storm out or call for emergency roadside assistance for advice from your provider.

“Why do so many people die in flash floods? Aside from the factor of surprise (many people are caught sleeping), people just don’t appreciate the power of moving water. Even six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet. Most automobiles will float and can be swept away in only two feet of water. Never try to walk, swim, or drive through the swift currents of a flash flood. Nearly half of all U.S. flash flood fatalities are auto related. Never attempt to drive over a flooded road. The depth of water is not always obvious. Also, the road bed may have been washed out under water. Dry creek beds can go from dusty bone dry to a ten-foot-deep torrent of water within a minute as the thunderstorm rains drain down from surrounding higher terrain.

Many vehicle-related fatalities are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. Whether you are driving or walking, if you come to a flooded road.

Turn Around Don’t Drown! You will not know the depth of the water nor will you know the condition of the road under the water.”

(Source)

Back in the day, long before the internet or cell phones, planning a trip across country or a few states over,one had to depend on the latest maps and not much else. As a child, stuffed in back of the car with my brothers on the way to Florida, I was fascinated with the colored lines my father drew that traversed the map grids as it advanced down through Tennessee and Georgia on the way to the warm beaches of Miami.
The internet has changed all that. With a few clicks you can not only route your trip but also discover what the best restaurants or lodging is in any city that you plan to drive through.

One such source is HowStuffWorks.com‘s Travel Guides. Pick your city of destination and in a few clicks you will be able to discover it’s highlights, read articles on must-see spots and plan your days so your vacation is rich with new experiences instead of tales of being lost or horror stories about bad restaurants and lodging.

“Travel destinations are the stuff of daydreams. On a boring day, it’s refreshing to picture yourself somewhere exotic. Once you have that destination in mind, the itch to travel isn’t going to leave you! Even if you know where you want to go, do you know what to do once you’re there? City guides, articles and videos in the HowStuffWorks Destinations section will give you some ideas for your ultimate vacation.”

Personally, I remain nostalgic for the colored line traveling the length of a wrinkled map.

Tired Driving Matches Intoxicated Hazards on the Highway

Being a safe driver includes many driving standards that the person behind the wheel makes before ever getting into the car. Safe drivers know better than to drive under the influence, are aware of their driving weaknesses, are not aggressive on the highway, and are prepared with common driving and car maintenance knowledge and the tools to apply it. Most drivers would consider themselves safe as long as they have a clean record and don’t drink and drive.

A common accident trigger on the roadways, however, doesn’t stem from having alcohol before driving, a flat tire, or aggressiveness. Sleepy drivers are at just as high a risk for causing an accident while driving as those under the influence of alcohol. You can be a safe driver and still be unaware of how physically alert you are and how much the act of driving can take a toll on your cognitive responses to highway hazards.

If you consider yourself a safe driver, think about how often you’ve been drowsy behind the wheel. It can be tempting to go ahead and drive when you know you’re tired, but being sleepy while trying to maneuver a three-ton machine is highly dangerous. Safe drivers can add another standard to their list; don’t drive drowsy. If you do, don’t be surprised when your roadside assistance service has to show up to pull your car out of the ditch, or worse.

See Also

• Roadside Protection
  Auto Road Service

Child Safety Seats The Object of Many Parents’ Driving Safety Concern

One of the most crucial topics involved in driving safety is how safe child safety seats really are. Parents are, hopefully, highly motivated to drive as alert and careful as possible when infants and children are passengers. But very careful driving habits can’t always prevent an accident. To offer extra protection for infants and children riding in a car, safety seats are available and insisted upon by the law.

A recent report released by Consumer Reports stated that not many of the common child safety seats that parents were using were standing up to their crash tests. Much to the relief of disturbed parents, the company then admitted to mistakes made in the testing and a false report of unsafe safety seats. This ordeal has brought back to the forefront a safety issue very important to the government, automakers, child safety seat providers, and especially families.

Edmunds.com offers a review of the Consume Reports incident that concerned parents can use as a guideline to what the overall results have shown. The important objective for parents is to continue to purchase and properly secure child safety seats that are accredited. Being a safe driver and practicing cautious driving principles are also the best way to keep you and your child protected from death or injury on the highway.

See Also

• Roadside Assistance
  Auto Road Service

Preparation for Wintery Driving Conditions Prevents Accidents

When the temperatures drop and there is precipitation in the air, roadway hazards heighten and the chances for being in an accident or ending up in a ditch do as well. The best option for steering clear of a winter traffic accident, of course, is to watch the weather and stay at home. But many commuters have no choice when work calls despite the weather conditions, so keep the following tools handy so that you can see clearly and maintain traction when the forecast is slick;

Be wary of how closely you’re following the guy in front of you. Many a fender bender has occurred because the following car couldn’t stop in time due to misjudging the decreased ability to halt in poor traction. Even if the road is dry and safe, ice and snow can find its way on the bottom of your show, causing difficulty maintaining traction on the break pedal.

Stay farther behind the driver in front of you than usual when conditions are dangerous. When you do break, do it carefully. Hard breaking on slippery pavement can cause the car to skid around, hydroplane, and become uncontrollable for long enough to end up in a ditch or another vehicle’s side or back fender.

One of the most dangerous mistakes a driver can make when weather conditions make visibility hard is forgetting to turn on the lights. When there is snow, ice, fog, or even rain it is imperative that a car’s lights be on to allow other drivers to see you better.

See Also

• Emergency Roadside Assistance
  Reliable Roadside Service