spring/summer tips

Tips To Help You Travel Safe And Smart

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The family road trip Almost half of all Americans are willing to take a road trip of up to 750 miles despite gas prices, according to a national survey.

(NAPSI)-New vehicle safety standards, entertainment features and enhancements in comfort have revolutionized the family road trip experience of today, making longer road trips more desirable to the traveler. In fact, a recent survey found 55 percent of adults find road trips more enjoyable now than when they were kids, and 60 percent wish their earlier vehicle had either a DVD system (35 percent) or a navigation system (25 percent).

To help more families enjoy their time on the road, family travel expert and editor of Family TravelForum.com Kyle McCarthy, offers these Road Trip Savvy Tips:

• If you pack the cargo hold the night before departure, stash a family overnight bag with toiletries and pajamas on top, so you won't have to spend time unloading en route.

• Determining a road trip allowance for each child, then letting them know they'll have to chip in to buy any forgotten essentials, will help ensure everything makes it into the suitcase.

• The innovative backseat entertainment system can keep kids happy with its ceiling- mounted DVD player.

• Many families find new sports tourers so comfortable that they have to remember to stop and stretch regularly. This is especially important for toddlers and grandparents.

• Take these three steps to enhance fuel economy:

1. Replace dirty air filters. A clogged air filter can reduce fuel economy as much as 10 percent;

2. Check tire pressure. Tires underinflated by just 2 psi can reduce fuel economy as much as 1 percent;

3. Reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle by taking empty cargo carriers, bike racks, ski racks, etc. off. At highway speed, 50 percent of the engine power is used to overcome drag.

For additional travel tips and ways to maximize fuel economy, visit ChryslerGroup.Daimler Chrysler.com.

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