Page loading ... Please wait.

(ARA) - What do your heart and your vehicle have in common? More than you may think - both require regular maintenance and preventive care to function properly. And when both are properly cared for, it can make a direct and significant impact on long-term health.

Every day, nearly 2,400 Americans die of cardiovascular disease, an average of one person every 37 seconds, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Meanwhile, according to the Car Care Council, nearly 80 percent of vehicles inspected during vehicle check-ups needed service or parts.

To help fight heart disease and educate people on maintaining a healthy heart and vehicle, Jiffy Lube and the AHA have partnered for year three of the Maintenance Partners for Life campaign to raise funds and awareness for the AHA's Go Red For Women movement.

"My daughter received a heart transplant four years ago and my husband was diagnosed with heart disease in 2000, so this campaign means a lot to me and I know how important it is to find ways to fight this disease," says Nina Sundell, district manager for Heartland Automotive Services, Inc., a Jiffy Lube franchisee. "I think almost everyone has a personal story to tell when it comes to heart disease, which is why I think so many people have connected with the Jiffy Lube Maintenance Partners for Life campaign. I encourage everyone to join in the fight because every single donation is a step toward helping families cope."

Heart health tips
The AHA offers some basic advice for taking care of your heart:

* Eating healthful, nutrient-rich, low-fat foods is one of the best ways to fight heart disease. Choose foods loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, but low in calories. Veggies, fruits, whole-grain and high-fiber foods, lean protein and fat-free or low-fat dairy products are all part of a healthy, heart-friendly diet.

* See your doctor regularly and seek his or her guidance in living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

* Walk, jog, do yard work or some other form of physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day. Regular exercise makes your heart stronger and lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke.

You can learn more about heart health and find more tips at www.GoRedForWomen.org.

Support the cause
Starting Feb. 1, and running through March 14, 2010, customers can donate $3 at participating Jiffy Lube service centers and 100 percent of the funds will be allocated to Go Red For Women initiatives in the communities in which they are raised. In return, donors will receive a Maintenance Partners for Life savings book with more than $100 in savings. During the campaign, you can also donate by going online to www.JiffyLubeGoesRed.com. Since 2008, Jiffy Lube service centers from across the country have donated more than $2.3 million to the cause, and in 2010, Jiffy Lube seeks to raise another $1 million.

Vehicle health tips
When it comes to caring for your vehicle, apply the same concept of preventive care with these tips from Jiffy Lube:

* Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle's engine. Check oil levels regularly and follow the guidelines in your owner's manual for how frequently you should change the oil.

* Blood has to flow freely to keep the body performing at optimum levels and eliminate risk of disease and infection; likewise, vital fluids, such as antifreeze or coolant, ensure your engine continues to perform at peak performance. Be sure to locate all fluid compartments and check for proper fluid levels regularly.

* Just as you maintain a regular schedule of doctor checkups and healthy eating habits, put your car on a regular maintenance schedule. Preventive maintenance and checkups help ensure your car continues to run properly. A technician should top off fluid levels, inspect belts and hoses, check tire pressure and engine oil, and make sure all lights are working on a regular basis.

You can find more car care tips at www.JiffyLube.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

###

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This article was funded and reviewed by Jiffy Lube International. - You should follow us on Twitter

(ARA) - With the high cost of fuel, many pickup owners are feeling the burn at the pump. While some consumers may be able to purchase a new truck that gets better gas mileage, many of us are financially stuck with the truck we currently have. To cope, there are several things you can do to save gas money now.

Oil it up: As most auto body technicians will tell you, checking and changing your oil is one of the most overlooked items. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine, ensuring your engine will run at peak performance. And don't forget to keep it clean. You can increase your gas mileage up to 10 percent by ensuring your oil, air and fuel filters are clean.

Fill it up: Fill up with the lowest octane gasoline possible for your vehicle. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your truck's fuel economy or performance. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year, according to the Car Care Council. The council also suggests tightening your gas cap because fuel will evaporate from your tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fill up.

Pump it up: Check your tires to make sure they're properly inflated and aligned. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage up to 3 percent. If you don't know what the right pressure is for your tires and truck, consult your owner's manual or stop in at your local tire shop.

Ease on up: It's hard to make changes, but if you really want to see increased gas mileage, it's suggested you avoid unnecessary idling, revving your engine and slamming on the brakes. It is recommended that you stop and start gently, use cruise control when possible and reduce the amount of trips you make each day.

Roll on down the road: The easiest and most rewarding step you can take to see immediate gas mileage improvement is to install a truck bed cover on your pickup. A truck bed cover, also known as a tonneau cover, will reduce drag, making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds. There are several different tonneau cover options available on the market today.

The Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by Agri-Cover, Inc., a North Dakota truck accessory company, is an affordable and high-quality option. Made of heavy-duty, double coated vinyl, the roll-up cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck. Since the roll-up cover is lockable, it's also great for protecting your gear, all while improving the overall look of your vehicle. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up behind the cab and never has to be removed when hauling larger items. The company estimates that you can save over $200 within the first year of installing an Access Roll-Up Cover on your truck bed.

Richard F. of Bismarck, N.D, knows firsthand the benefits of having a roll-up tonneau cover on his truck.

"I put on many highway miles during the year and in talking to other owners with a similar truck without a box cover, I am amazed at the savings in gas mileage I'm getting with my cover. The Access Roll-Up Cover is such an attractive addition to my truck. It really finishes the look I want."

For more information on the Access Roll-Up Cover and to find out how much gas money you could save, visit www.accesscover.com or call (888) 281-7098.

Courtesy of ARAcontent - You should follow us on Twitter

(ARA) - Don't you wish there were classes on subjects such as mortgages, taxes, auto insurance or even saving for retirement? How many times have you looked for background information on each of these issues?

Everyone who drives a car has to deal with purchasing auto insurance at least once in their lives, and if you have a family, it just adds more questions to the mix. Some of the considerations include:

* Types of auto insurance
* Legal requirements for your state
* High deductible versus more expensive coverage
* Coverage of the family in rental vehicles or while driving someone else's car

Plenty of questions can pop up when you're looking for auto insurance. These answers and additional information are available at www.theautoinsurance.com, which is an innovative consumer resource that provides free articles and insight on auto insurance and even allows you to compare multiple quotes from top companies.

Some of the factors that might affect how much you pay for insurance include:
* Gender
* Age
* The car you want to insure
* Where you live
* Distance you drive to work each day
* Marital status
* Driving record
* If you pay in one lump sum over on a monthly basis

If you are looking for insurance and want to compare auto insurance quotes from different companies, make sure you read reviews of the large companies so you are better informed when you get ready to sign on the dotted line. There are also many Web sites available that will give you comparison quotes from up to five local area dealers.

Even if you aren't searching for auto insurance currently, you might want to go to www.theautoinsurance.com to learn about how recent rashes of road rage might increase insurance rates. Or if you are in the process of purchasing a car, make sure you read about which cars are the most expensive to insure and why. Having all the information at your fingertips will make you a more educated buyer.

Courtesy of ARAcontent - You should follow us on Twitter

(ARA) - Knowledge may be power, but that's only the case if you put what you know into good use. Sure, it's a common phrase that can be used in many different situations, but when applying it to car care, weeding through the myths can result in financial savings and longer vehicle life.

Myth: My car's motor oil should be changed every 3,000 miles
It is recommended that vehicle owners follow their manufacturer's maintenance intervals while it is still under warranty. However, if your car is no longer under warranty, try using a synthetic oil that can extend your oil change intervals. The number of miles you can allow between your oil changes will depend on the way you drive and the oxidations stability of the motor oil.

Oxidation stability can be measured by the American Society for Testing and Materials' (ASTM) rigorous Thin Film Oxidation Uptake Test (TFOUT). This test is so demanding that it lasts 1,300 minutes. Conventional motor oils typically last less than 300 minutes and Synthetic motor oils typically last less than 500 minutes. One high performance synthetic motor oil, Royal Purple, has been shown to outlast the duration of the test. Royal Purple motor oils are recommended to extend oil change intervals as much as 12,000 miles under normal driving conditions, and have also been shown to improve fuel economy.

Myth: A dealership must handle all maintenance on my vehicle while it is under warranty.
The key to maintaining your factory warranty is that car care items specified in the owner's manual are performed on schedule. As long as the service is documented, it can be performed by any auto-repair shop. You can also do the work yourself; just make sure you keep accurate records and receipts in case warranty issues arise and for future repair.

Myth: My car engine needs to warm up before driving.
During winter months, it is a common practice for drivers to warm their vehicles up inside, but a cold engine will warm up faster when it is being driven instead of idling. If you use your car infrequently, take a few minutes to warm up your car before you drive away. This allows cold, thick oil to warm up, protecting your engine from damage. For cold weather starts, all you need is 30 seconds to ensure proper oil flow and lubrication. In the event of frigid temperatures, driving at a slower speed for a few miles will give your car enough time to warm up.

Myth: You tires should be inflated to the pressure shown on the tire sidewall.
Because of the wide variety of tires on the market today, tires can be used on more than one vehicle, so inflating your tires based on the PSI number on the sidewall may not be ideal for your specific vehicle. Car owners should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cold weather and normal conditions tire pressure. That number can be found on a doorjamb sticker in newer cars, or in the glove box or fuel door on older models.

Myth: Are dishwashing detergents suitable for washing my car?
It is common for people to use dish detergents to wash your car, but do so with some warning. Dish detergents are designed to remove animal or vegetable fat and will equally target the wax on your car. Instead, opt for a product specifically for automotive use. Quality products are based on detergents and not soaps which are made of rendered animal byproduct that contain trace elements that could damage your paint.

Myth: All oil filters are the same
You may think that "an oil filter is an oil filter," but that's not true, because there can be significant differences that affect both filtration efficiency and longevity. The oil filter is the engine's main line of defense against abrasion and premature wear. The more dirt and other contaminants the filter can trap and hold the better.

Inexpensive filters are typically made with the 3,000-mile interval in mind, using low-quality paper media that deteriorates rapidly for filtration. There are a number of new high performance premium oil filters on the market from manufacturers such as Royal Purple, Wix and K&N. These filters are made for extended oil drain intervals. For example, Royal Purple uses a proprietary long-life, micro-glass media that provides protection for 12,000 miles. You can learn more at www.royalpurple.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent - You should follow us on Twitter

(ARA) - As your children grow older, it can be difficult finding fun family vacations for everyone to enjoy together. Here are some tips to get out and have a pleasurable family vacation:

1. Go camping. Find a campground near scenic hiking trails, cool and refreshing lakes, or even extended ATV trails. This is a fantastic trip idea for the entire family, especially if each of you has different ideas about what you want to do on your vacation. For example, you can do some bird watching while your son attempts to cast for dinner. And your spouse might enjoy reading a book in a hammock strung between two trees while your daughter chases fish through the lake using her snorkel and fins.

2. Travel back in time. Turn the vacation into a history learning experience by exploring the Old West, walking the streets of America's founding cities or designing a road trip along the Mississippi River and popping into the small river towns teeming with river history. Educational vacations don't have to be boring - many communities in historical settings offer live recreations of the event or events, and if your children happen to be studying that era in school, it's an even better experience.

3. Take an off-road trip in the wide-open spaces with the Polaris RANGER RZR 4, a sporty, multi-passenger side-by-side vehicle that can handle dunes, desert sands and wide-open spaces with ease. The bonus is this vehicle seats four, which means your family saves money on renting or purchasing multiple off-road vehicles. ATV and side-by-side trails allow your family to travel great distances off the main roads, giving you the opportunity to see new geography and potentially different wildlife which you wouldn't be able to see from your car on the highway.

4. Visit one or several of the national parks stretching from coast to coast. You can take in the Atlantic Ocean from the cliffs of Maine in Acadia National Park, rare and endangered species in the waters of Everglades National Park, pretend you're part of the explorers following the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail that stretches through 11 states over mountains, through rivers, across prairies and all the way to the Pacific coast, or admire the architecture of more than 600 cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans in Mesa Verde National Park. That's just to name a few of the hundreds of parks you can explore.

5. Organize an extended scenic drive. Plan a trip around one of the great lakes, or through a mountain range or even across the expanse of a desert. Research some of the small towns along the route for new and interesting things to see. Try out new restaurants and ask the locals what some of the more popular dishes are. If you are on your trip during the harvest time, stop by a roadside stand and make a picnic or a tailgate party out of the fresh produce that's available.

When planning your next family vacation, make sure you pack plenty of food and beverages, as well as your camera. Encourage the kids to take along journals so they can document the sights they see and the new places they are experiencing. But most of all, enjoy the time spent together on vacation.

Courtesy of ARAcontent - You should follow us on Twitter