Falling leaves present a beautiful safety hazard

Watching leaves turn brilliant shades of color

and fall from the trees is a favorite activity each fall. Drivers travel near and far to witness spectacular and colorful displays of fall foliage, hoping to catch the peak hues in their respective areas of the country. While falling leaves can be a sight to be-hold, those leaves can become a nuisance to drivers in various ways. Understanding certain inconveniences and safety risks posed by falling leaves can help motorists protect their vehicle and themselves.

Staining Leaves can do more than just stain driveways; they also can damage a vehicle’s paint job. Should wet leaves, sap and other chemicals that leach out of the leaves stay on a car for an extended period of time, they can cause an outline stain and damage to the paint. It’s important to manu-

ally pick leaves off of the car’s surface right after they fall. Do not sweep them away; otherwise the leaves can scratch the paint surface. When all the leaves have been re-moved, thoroughly wash and dry the vehicle. Should stains be pres-ent already, use a com-mercial leaf-stain remover or automotive paint cleaner. Tackle one stain at a time.

Clogging Leaves that fall can become trapped in air intake vents, eventually impeding flow and caus-ing odors. Leaves that fall in the groove of the windshield by the wind-shield wipers should be removed. Use a high-pow-ered shop vacuum to re-move any leaves that are imbedded in the venting. Check other areas of the car where leaves can become problematic, such as under the vehicle or in the rear exhaust pipe.

Slippery surfaces The Car Care Council notes that wet leaves on the surface of roadways

can be hazardous. Wet leaves can make road-ways quite slippery, even as slippery as roadways when snow is falling. Drivers should slow down when roads are covered with wet leaves and take turns and off-ramps more carefully. Dry leaves also can pose problems, as they tend to accumulate at the edges of roads, where they eas-ily can obscure curbs or street markings. Leaves may fill potholes, giving the false impression that a road is smooth and causing damage to tires and suspension systems when drivers drive over them. Autumn leaves may be beautiful to see, but they can complicate driving and fall car care. Motor-ists should keep their cars clear of leaves and use caution on roadways.

Autumn and driving seem to be tailor-made

for one another, and they can be if motorists

exercise caution when driving near fallen

leaves. Photo courtesy of Metro Creative.

METRO CREATIVE

Safety first: Use your resources, get prepared

Technology can be a wonderful thing – especially

when it comes to winter weather conditions and traveling. Safe Travel USA (www.safetravelusa.com) provides a map that links web users to travel information for all 50 states. The map for South Dakota and neighbor-ing states including North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska displays everything from road construction to road conditions. Clicking on

a particular highway will display current road con-ditions, areas of construc-tion, and the weather forecast. Users can also zoom in on the interactive map to view areas of travel be-fore venturing out in the cold. Several Department of Transportation camer-as will also give potential travelers a first-hand look at the road and weather conditions. Minnesota uses a different system than the states previously listed. However, all of the same information is available in a different format. The website can be found

through the Safe Travel USA website or at www.511mn.org. Many states have also adopted 511 traffic systems, which give travelers up-to-date information. Travelers can simply dial 511 right from the road, providing it is legal to use their cell phone while behind the wheel. When it doubt, or if weather and road con-ditions warrant, it is best to stop driving in a safe area before dialing. Especially in South Da-kota, weather conditions can change suddenly. The following are things to remember if you should

become stranded during the upcoming winter months. The number one thing to remember is to (1.) ALWAYS STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE. Also, 2. Run the engine no more than 15 minutes out of every hour. This both conserves gas and allows you to warm up. 3. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow. 4. NEVER go to sleep if the engine is running. 5. Eat high-energy food just before going to sleep to keep you warm. If the cold wakes you up, eat some more and add an-

other layer of blankets or clothing. 6. Do NOT burn floor mats or any synthetic ma-terial to stay warm. The fumes will be toxic.

Other tips: 1. Make sure your winter survival kit is in the back seat in case you cannot get into the trunk. For a list of survival kit must-haves, see page E4. 2. Keep your gas tank full. 3. Make sure your car battery is new or fully charged. 4. Always let someone know when you are on the road – when you left,

which route you planned to take. Stick with the plan. 5. Do not drive until all your windows are com-pletely cleared of snow. 6. Leave your head-lights on so that other cars can see you. 7. Do not use cruise-control on icy or snow-packed roads. 8. Leave at least five car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. 9. Carry a fully-charged cell phone. In all cases, the old mantra applies: It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

VICTORIA LUSKAMERICAN NEWS

It’s that time again – time to buy a new car. Maybe you’re excited

because you’ve been dreaming of getting new wheels for a long time now. Or maybe you’re nervous; buying a car is a big financial commit-ment and you want to make sure you do your homework. If you fall into this second group, don’t worry; these five simple questions can help you find a vehicle that fits your lifestyle.

*Is it a lemon? When you purchase your ve-hicle, the last thing you want to do is shop for another car in a couple of years. Picking a reliable vehicle is key. So how do you do it? Make a list of the vehicles you’re interested in and head to the Web to research previous vehicle recalls. If you are buying a used car, websites like CarFax.com and others can also show you the history of that particular car, giving you insight into just how reliable it will be.

*Where’s the value? Whether safety is your top concern or you want

the most vehicle for your money, it’s all about value. USAA, which provides car buying guidance (or help) and recommendations to its members, recently released its fourth-annual Best Value list identifying the top vehicles for 2014. The list includes vehicles that finished at the top of USAA’s preferred propri-ety rating system, which evaluates safety, reliabili-ty, cost and other factors. There is also a list of the top 10 vehicles for teens, which you can review if you’ll soon be sharing a garage with a new driver.

*How will you pay for it? Behind safety, financing is probably the most important thing to consider when buying a new car. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you’ve thoroughly researched your financing options. And remember, you have other options besides what the dealer-ship offers you.

*Are there any phys-ical concerns you need to remember? Not every vehicle is perfect for every person. Think about yourself and who will most often ride

with you. If you or your passengers are very tall, a smaller sedan may not make sense. Likewise, people who have mobility challenges may not be comfortable getting into a large pickup truck.

*Will it grow with your family? Sure it fits your needs now, but what about next year? The year after that? Whether it is children, pets or joining the office carpool, consider the fact that the space you need pres-ently might not be the space you need even a year from now. Shopping for a new car can be an exciting experi-ence, but it can be nerve-wracking as well. As you begin your search, remember these ques-tions and you’ll be closer

to finding the vehicle of your dreams. To learn more about USAA’s Best Value list, visit usaa.com/bestvalue. USAA Preferred Best Value vehicles are typical-ly those vehicles ranked highest in each vehicle category and obtain either the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ crash test ratings from IIHS

and represent vehicles which are determined to be the best financial value using a USAA-developed

proprietary statistical model. The model relates MSRP to vehicle fea-tures (engine type, drive train, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, number of airbags, trans-mission, body additions, curb weight, horsepow-er-to-curb weight, height and vehicle category), fuel economy, insurance cost, additional warranty

cost, depreciation, and IIHS Top Safety Pick to determine the value. In providing this analysis,

USAA does not consider factors other than those disclosed. The vehicles evaluated for USAA’s Top 10 for Teens list first had to be a USAA Preferred vehicle and have an MSRP below $26,000. Then, a vehicle’s reliability, insurance cost, and overall value were considered regardless of vehicle segment to create

the top 10. USAA means United Services Automobile As-sociation and its affiliates.

Shopping for a new vehicle? 5 questions to ask yourself before signing on the dotted line

BRANDPOINT

How to dig out your car after a storm

The arrival of cool-er, shorter days is often a precursor

to winter storms dom-inated by snowfall. A snow-covered landscape can make for an appealing image. But heavy snow-fall also makes for extra work, especially for driv-ers who must dig their vehicles out of the snow after each storm. Some people live in suburban areas where they can park their cars in driveways or garages, while others live in cities and have to park on the street, where snow plows can do a wonderful job of burying vehicles under-neath mounds of snow. Rescuing a car or truck from a pile of snow can be

tricky and time-consum-ing, but there is a process that can make the job easier. · Begin by clearing out the tail pipe of the car. This is a vital first step because failure to do so can back harmful carbon monoxide gas and other fumes into the car. Take the time to clear out the rear of the car, including the taillights, so you will have improved visibility.

· When the exhaust pipe is clear, turn on the car. Some people pre-fer to put the defroster on right away. Others wait until the vehicle warms up before doing so. Hav-ing a warm car will melt some of the accumulated ice and snow and make

it easier for you to clear the car.

· The right tools make faster work of the task at hand. A shovel is a necessity, and a tele-scoping snow broom/ice scraper can be helpful. This allows you to safely push the snow off the roof of the car. Some regions fine drivers who do not remove snow from the roofs or hoods of their cars, so take the time to clean such snow before driving.

· Work from the top of the vehicle down. Oth-erwise, you will end up negating all of your work by throwing fresh snow on the areas you already cleared.

· By now the defrost-ers should have kicked in sufficiently enough to make it simple to clear snow from the windshield and rear window. Use some deicing windshield fluid to dislodge wiper blades if they have frozen to the windshield. Some drivers leave their wiper blades standing on end and away from the windshield prior to a big storm to prevent them from freezing to the

windshield. Consider this trick if you’re especially worried about the blades freezing to the glass.

· Use your shovel to carefully remove as much snow as possible from around the tires. Be careful not to puncture the tire with a metal shov-el. Try to create a tire path in the direction you plan to move the vehicle. So if you will be backing out of the driveway, clear the way behind the car. If traction is a problem, use a bit of rock salt or cat litter behind the tires to give them more grip. Slipping a car mat under the tires also can provide much-needed traction.

·Exercise caution if you are digging out a car on a busy roadway. Make yourself visible to other motorists and use traffic cones, if you have them, to keep drivers away from your vehicle. Do not shovel the snow in the path of oncoming vehicles. Shoveling out after a snowstorm is a task few people enjoy. However, it is a necessity of the season and one that can be done safely and effi-ciently.

A snowstorm can sneak up on us at any time. In fact,

it is not unusual to have several inches dumped on us as early as last month. So now is the perfect time to pack a winter sur-vival kit in your car. Grab a duffel bag and have your kids help accumu-late the ‘ingredients.’ As a family activity, it can be like a fun scavenger hunt:

1. Blankets. Pack sev-eral if you usually do not travel alone. 2. Flashlight. The crank kind is nice if you do not want to rely on batteries. 3. Candles. They can produce an amazing amount of heat. And, of course, matches, packed in a ziplock bag. Some people put the candle in the bottom of a metal coffee can. The can might get pretty hot so factor this in. The best choice is a multiple-wick candle – they usually come in a large glass jar. 4. Bottles of water. They should be unopened to ensure that they are not contaminated, but this can be tricky. In South Dakota they can easily turn to a solid block of ice. 5. Food. High sugar and

high protein is best but it should be items that are easy to keep such as peanuts, dried fruit, chocolate bars, jerky, hard candy, raisins, nuts, or protein bars. 6. Glow sticks – either to keep you company or to help rescuers locate you. 7. Flares – for the obvi-ous reason. 8. A first aid kit. 9. Car cellphone char-ger. 10. Ice scraper, snow shovel. 11. A good book. You might be there awhile. And games for the kids. 12. Pocket knife. 13. Large black plastic trash bags to use as a poncho or to tuck around your legs. 14. Extra clothing such as a parka, boots, long underwear, stocking cap, heavy socks, mittens, and scarves. 15. Toilet tissue. 16. Red or orange fabric to tie onto the antennae to help alert searchers – or the Saint Bernard car-rying the barrel of brandy around his neck. 17. Nylon rope. If you must leave the vehicle, (to light a flare, clear snow from the tailpipe, or use the toilet paper) tie it around your waist so that you can find your way back.

METRO CREATIVE GRETCHEN MAYERAMERICAN NEWS

Survival kit must-haves

USAA does not consider factors other than those disclosed. The vehicles evaluated for USAA’s Top 10 for Teens list first had to be a USAA Preferred vehicle and have an MSRP below $26,000. Then, a vehicle’s reliability, insurance cost, and overall value were considered regardless of vehicle segment to create

the top 10. USAA means United Services Automobile As-sociation and its affiliates.

Shopping for a new vehicle? 5 questions to ask yourself before signing on the dotted line

Negligence is the rust of the soul . . . and the car

Whether it’s the anxiety of looking at a

bank statement after a big purchase or waiting for news from a doctor, facing harsh realities can be nerve-racking. The same mentality applies when dealing with your car discrepancies, be it routine maintenance or even skirmishes with other drivers on – and sometimes off – the road. These drivers are not abiding by one of the fundamental, unwritten road rules, according to a recent survey conduct-ed by Hankook Tire. In the latest Hankook Tire Quarterly Gauge Index, results showed that 86 percent of American drivers have had their car damaged by others when parked and never received a note from the person responsible. However, despite these findings, the gauge also revealed that only 14

percent of Americans say they have dinged a car and didn’t leave a note, which begs the ques-tion: Who’s telling the truth? Aside from avoiding issues with others on the road, drivers also tend to neglect their own routine car obligations. The recent gauge index also revealed that 57 percent of Americans leave regular car maintenance obliga-tions such as registration, oil changes, and car inspections until the last minute or past the recom-mended timeframe. But what the large majority of the driving

population lacks in fulfilling some standard car care needs, they make

up for in other ways. Seventy-seven percent of drivers make sure to fill their gas tank before or immediately after their gas light goes on. And although many Amer-icans lack manners by failing to leave notes in

parking lots, they take pride in their parking skills. Sixty-seven per-

cent of drivers consider themselves “excellent” or “good” parallel parkers, maneuvering into a tight spot in two tries or less. Now that the fall and winter months are here provide drivers with less than stellar road condi-

tions are here, take into account these helpful car safety tips that will

help you be more mindful of your cars basic needs:

Check your tan. Running low on fuel on a regular basis can be hazardous to a car because it causes the fuel pump to pick up debris from the bottom of the fuel tank that can clog the pump or fuel injectors. Be mindful of your gauge, and try to get to the nearest fueling station as soon as you can.

Check your engine. Thirty-one percent of Americans wait to change the oil until past the recommended service date. Not changing your oil often enough allows harmful dirt, particulates and acids to degrade or

damage key engine parts. Rotate your tires. According to the Han-kook Tire Quarterly Gauge Index, 33 percent of Americans say tire rotation is the No. 1 routine car maintenance obligation that they put off until the last minute. However, rotating the tires allows them to wear more evenly, increasing the tires’ lifespan. Choose the right tire. Do you know what brand of tires you have on your car right now? If you said no, you’re not alone. Thir-ty-six percent of Ameri-cans say they don’t know their tire brand. Knowing this informa-tion is important to be sure if the tires are appro-priate for the upcoming fall and winter driving conditions. The Hankook Winter i-cept evo is a winter tire that provides excellent performance during winter weather conditions.

BRANDPOINT

high protein is best but it should be items that are easy to keep such as peanuts, dried fruit, chocolate bars, jerky, hard candy, raisins, nuts, or protein bars. 6. Glow sticks – either to keep you company or to help rescuers locate you. 7. Flares – for the obvi-ous reason. 8. A first aid kit. 9. Car cellphone char-ger. 10. Ice scraper, snow shovel. 11. A good book. You might be there awhile. And games for the kids. 12. Pocket knife. 13. Large black plastic trash bags to use as a poncho or to tuck around your legs. 14. Extra clothing such as a parka, boots, long underwear, stocking cap, heavy socks, mittens, and scarves. 15. Toilet tissue. 16. Red or orange fabric to tie onto the antennae to help alert searchers – or the Saint Bernard car-rying the barrel of brandy around his neck. 17. Nylon rope. If you must leave the vehicle, (to light a flare, clear snow from the tailpipe, or use the toilet paper) tie it around your waist so that you can find your way back.

Survival kit must-haves

Prepare your car for winter in 10 steps

Cold weather and icy conditions can make winter driv-

ing difficult. That is why it is so important to prop-erly prepare your vehicle in anticipation of freezing temperatures and the first snowfalls. Here are 10 steps to follow so that your car is ready for the challenges of winter.

1 Change your tires. Winter tires provide

better traction on snow and ice and the rubber is more effective in cold weather. Be sure to have them put on as soon as the weather gets colder; don’t wait for the first real snowstorm to do it.

2 Change the oil. Make sure the engine oil you

use is suitable for winter use. If it isn’t, change the oil before the weather gets too cold in order to avoid damaging the engine.

3 Add antifreeze. The fluid in your radiator

should contain 50 percent water and 50 percent antifreeze. Use a test kit to ensure that this is the case or check with your mechanic.

4 Check your wip-ers. Ensure that

your wiper blades are in good condition and are not scratching the windshield. Fill up your windshield washer fluid reservoir and remember to keep an extra jug in the car; it will come in handy for long road trips.

5 Check the heating system. Ensure that

the heater and rear window defroster are both operating properly in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

6 Inspect your bat-tery. Ensure that the

terminals and battery cables are clean and free of corrosion.

7 Check your tire pres-sure. The air pressure

in your tires can fluctuate in cold weather, so it is important to check it on a regular basis. Don’t forget to check the spare tire as well.

8 Check the lighting system. Check to

ensure that both front and rear lights, as well as turn signals, are working properly. Replace them if necessary.

9 Have your car inspected. Ask a

mechanic to check your car’s brakes, spark plugs, suspension, and steering. A minor defect could be

aggravated by winter conditions, which would then entail higher repair costs.

10 Be prepared for all eventualities.

Consider lubricating your locks so they won’t freeze; be sure to have some lock anti-freeze on hand just in case. Prepare a survival kit to keep in your car in case of breakdown or accident. It should contain a first-aid kit, blanket, warm clothes, food, scissors, flashlight, snow brush, shovel, and booster ca-bles. This kit could save your life.

You have to be pre-pared as well Preparing your car for winter is not enough. You also need to think about adapting your driving to winter conditions and bad weather. Also stay further back from the vehicle ahead of you and brake earlier when stopping. Slow down more carefully before turning.

There was a time when you were considered a “re-

sponsible” vehicle owner if you changed the oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles and had your tires rotated every other oil change. It turns out that while it is good practice to maintain your vehicle on a sched-ule, breaking out of that traditional oil change mind set and utilizing premium synthetic oil can ultimately save you time and money. What makes synthetic oil different from conven-tional oil? There are two components that deter-mine how well motor oil will perform in your car. One factor is the base oil and the second is the combination of chemicals (additives) that are added to the base oil. Mineral or conventional oils are by-products of refined crude oil. Re-fining helps reduce the impurities in the oil, but its end product has mol-ecules that vary in size. This inconsistency in size can result in restricted flow when working its way through the engine. Synthetic oil molecules are manufactured and are all the same size and shape. This creates less friction in the engine and allows the oil to move throughout the engine smoothly resulting in better performance. Additives added to the base oil are what give the oil the characteris-tics needed to do its job. Although additives are

typically only 15 to 25 percent of the make-up of motor oil, they can impact a lubri-cant’s performance much more than the base oil. For example, mineral-based motor oil with a very good additive package can easily outperform syn-thetic motor oil with a mediocre additive package. There is no easy way for a con-sumer to determine the quality of motor oil’s additive package. Price is often an indica-tor of quality since the more advanced additive technologies cost more to produce. Performance is the ultimate measure of additive package quality. There have also been advancements in additive technologies that allow synthetic oil manufactur-ers to offer consumers a product that will allow them to go more miles between oil changes. By going 10,000-12,000 miles instead of three, depending on your driv-ing habits, you could be changing your oil once a year instead of four times! This benefit of using synthetic saves the owner time and money, and reduces the impact on the environment with less oil waste that has to be disposed of. So you decide to switch to synthetic oil, but even then not all synthetics are alike. For example pre-mium synthetic lubricant manufacturer Royal Pur-ple offers three different types of synthetic oils to meet a variety of consum-

er needs. *Warranty compliance – This API licensed mo-tor oil is for consumers who have newer vehicles and are concerned about warranty compliance in both gasoline and diesel engines. *High performance – High Performance Street (HPS) motor oil is ideal for vehicle owners who are no longer worried about warranty compli-ance and are seeking a higher level of perfor-mance and protection. *High mileage – HMX is high mileage motor oil especially formulated with zinc and phosphorus and Royal Purple’s propri-etary additive technology Synerlec in vehicles with 75,000 miles or more. There are several ben-efits can you gain from using premium synthetic oil. This includes: in-creased fuel efficiency; better wear; and corro-sion protection that will extend the life of your vehicle. Taking care of your investment by using synthetic motor oil is a money saving step that savvy owners choose.

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Auto insight: Synthetic oil vs. conventional oilBRANDPOINT