Did You Know Your Vehicle Is Recording You?

For over a decade, almost every new vehicle has been equipped with an event data recorder which is similar to an airplane's flight recorder, or "black box."

The system that knows when to deploy the airbags, continuously tracks a multitude of facts, such as the vehicles acceleration rate, speed, various engine functions, seat belt use and more. These systems are not connected to the GPS and so do not know where the vehicle is located. The data is continuously overwritten, so just the few last seconds of data before an accident may be available. The idea is to give accident investigators a big boost in understanding why a vehicle crashed.

More involved are optional concierge services such as OnStar and Sync. These powerful data links do have GPS and do know where the vehicle is, and they accumulate a huge amount of speed, acceleration and engineering data. As of now these systems do not communicate with anyone outside the car unless you ask them to — by pushing buttons, for example. But when you do, all sorts of remote control is possible, from unlocking doors and reducing engine power to shutting the car off, as well as tracking the vehicle's position in real time

How Will You Celebrate Vetrans Day?

Veterans Day- also known as Armistice Day in the Unites States or Rememberance Day in other parts of the world is Thursday, November 11th this year marking the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that brought an end to World War I. It is on this day that the people of the United States take to time remember and honor the veterans of the armed services. This day is set to aside to show the veterans just how much that they are appreciated for the sacrifices that they have made for the United States.




Be sure to THANK a VETRAN Today!

Want To Lower Your Vehicle's Cholesterol?

Oil sludge is one of the most costly problems facing  vehicle owner's today. More advanced engine designs often result in unexpected problems that cause sludge to build up in the engine's oil system. Sludge is particularly dangerous on screens or in small passages, where it can cause a clog that prevents oil from reaching critical areas. This will ultimately result in catastrophic engine failure, which can only be repair by replacing the entire engine. You can dramatically reduce your chances of having an oil sludge problem.

Remember  to change your oil frequently. Some manufacturers will recommend that you change your oil every 5,000 or 7,500 miles. Over time, they have changed this to increase the frequency of oil changes. If you are fighting oil sludge, your motor oil and filter should be changed every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. Changing it more frequently will not hurt.

Monitor your engine closely. If you start to see oil appear on the top of the engine, it may be an indication that your PCV valve has become clogged and is leaking oil. Replacing the valve is an inexpensive repair that can increase your car's performance. Ignoring the problem could lead to a more serious problems. Keep a close watch for oil on the engine, and replace the PCV valve as soon as it is noticed.

Oil sludge can also be caused from engine coolant leaking into the oil system. If you notice problems with your water pump or other parts of the engine cooling system, get it repaired immediately. Putting off repairs could result in significant problems with oil sludge.

Running an oil system  cleaner  or motor treatment through your vehicle's engine every so often can go a long way toward helping keep it clean and free of sludge. Even your vehicle could do  with a lower "cholesterol" level!  

Did you Know That October is Car Care Month?

October is Car Care Month, which means it's time to prepare your vehicles for the cold weather and snow. Proper car care can result in significant cost savings. It can l extend the life of your vehicle and help protect our environment.


Here is a short checklist to help make sure your car is winter ready. Most items on the list can be conducted by a vehicle owner, but some l require a certified technician.

Check your tires

Check the air level in all of your tires (including your spare) to make sure they are inflated to the level indicated in your owner's manual. The air pressure in your tires will drop when the temperature drops. Check your tires for heavy wear and replace any tire that has less than 3/32- inches of tread.

If you live in an area that experiences heavy snow fall you might need snow tires. All-season tires might be sufficient in areas with light snow fall.

Check all lights

Check that your headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, backup lights and emergency flashers are all working properly. Replace all bulbs that are burnt out.

Check wiper blades

Make sure that both wipers completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace the blades that leave any streaks or miss spots. Consider installing winter blades if you live in an area that experiences heavy snow fall.

Fill washer fluid

Make sure your washer fluid is filled. Washer fluid use increases during the winter months. . If you live in an area with severe winters consider using a winter cleaning solution to prevent it from freezing.

Check your brakes

Having brakes that are in good working order is especially important during the winter months. If there is any indication of a problem with your brake system have it inspected by a certified technician before the white stuff begins to fall.

Create a winter emergency road kit

The first item in your emergency kit should be a mobile phone and you should carry it with you at all times. Program your phone with important numbers including family members and emergency services. If you have a smartphone, you can download an which provides services such as mapping and gas price comparison as well as member benefits like roadside assistance and discounts.

Your emergency kit should include a mobile phone charger, drinking water, a first-aid kit, non- perishable snacks for both humans and pets, a bag of abrasive material (such as sand, salt or cat litter), a snow shovel, blankets, extra warm clothing (gloves, hats, scarves), flashlight with extra batteries, window washer solvent, ice scraper with brush, cloth or roll of paper towels, jumper cables, warning devices (like flares or triangles) and a basic tool kit.

Following this simple checklist will help ensure that your vehicle is ready to handle the cold weather that lies ahead.

Do You Want to Know The 511 on PA Roads?

Looking for the latest on PA roads ?




511PA provides travelers with reliable, current traffic and weather information, as well as links to other transportation services. 511PA helps motorists reach their destination in the most efficient manner when traveling in Pennsylvania.



 Travel Info On the Go can be found at http://www.511pa.com/    Save this to your favorites to access in a hurry! You can even set up personal alerts to notify you of accidents, incidents and construction on state highways and toll roads that you choose. Alerts are sent to subscribers' cell phones, PDAs or e‐mail accounts.

Why Do We Celebrate Columbus Day?

Columbus Day is annually on the second Monday of October to  remember  Christopher Columbus' arrival to the Americas on October 12, 1492.




Officially, the people of the USA are invited to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. In some towns and cities there are  special church services, parades and lothe large  events.  Most celebrations are concentrated around the Italian-American community.  In Hawaii Columbus Day is also known as Landing Day or Discoverer's Day.



Not all parts of the United States celebrate Columbus Day. It is not a public holiday in California, Nevada and Hawaii. Moreover, Native Americans’ Day is celebrated in South Dakota, while Indigenous People’s Day is celebrated in Berkeley, California.

Are You A Distracted Driver?

Distracted Driving is not just texting. The same thing applies to eating and drinking – they shouldn’t be done while driving. Most cars these days come with cup holders, it’s true, but there’s nothing that says you have to use them while driving. Eating is even worse than drinking. If you are going to be eating you should either get out of your car to eat, or eat while the car is parked and then resume your driving. You may be thinking this sounds like overkill, but it’s not. Odds are you probably won’t have a wreck while sipping on a soft drink or eating a hamburger, but you’ve greatly increased your chances of it happening. Your odds of not having a collision are much greater if you don’t do these things.




Ask yourself this: What would it mean for car safety if everyone on the road were eating a sloppy double cheeseburger while driving? Do you think car safety would go up, or go down? When you think about it that way it becomes clear just what safety risks eating and drinking in your car are. Fast food is sloppy and messy and often quite hot, and it can cause you to lose control if you drop it. Soft drinks are ice cold and can spill, having the same effect. Even without spills you just cannot control a vehicle as well with a drink or a burrito in one hand. It’s simply impossible.



Get out of the fast-food-while-driving habit ~ you’ll be safer