10 Things To Bring On A Family Road Trip

Road trips with you friends can be fun. Road trips with kids can be also fun. That is, if they behave properly and do not get into fights or arguments throughout the long drive. Of course, aside from keeping your vehicle in top shape with quality parts from online stores like Auto Parts Discount, Edmunds.com provides families a list of ten indispensable things to bring along during a trip.

1. Cellular phone – You would be needing this especially if you do meet an accident or do need immediate assistance.

2. Detailed maps – This would work best compared to asking around especially if you’re stuck somewhere without any population visible.

3. Entertainment for kids – This would keep them quiet. Well, at least for some time.

4. Food – Something to munch on would do well, but not those huge complete meals that would make your car’s interior sticky all over.

5. Travel-sized supplies – This would mean coming prepared for battle. Bring with you first aid kits, baby wipes, disposable placemats, sunscreen, etc. Make sure though that you are bringing them in travel sizes only. Bring them as you buy them from the grocery would only eat much space on your luggage.

6. Prescription medicines – This way, you would not have to bother some doctor if someone in your pack needs them.

7. Change of clothing – Be specially prepared anytime, whatever the season. Remember, the weather can be very unpredictable.

8. Legal documents – Includes drivers licenses, IDs, atm cards, credit cards, etc. You never know when someone would be asking you for them. However, put them in a safe place.

9. Your child’s favorite blanket or toy – You would not want your small one fretting because he does not have his favorite thingie.

10. Shades – They would do well especially if you are driving a long one under the scorching sun. Keeps you looking cool, too.

GMC Yukons At The Crime Scene

Two new 2007 GMC Yukons would be responding to crime scenes. This is because producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay of the television series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” has worked with General Motor’s GMC division to be able to donate these vehicles to real life CSIs. The vehicles were given to the Los Angeles and the Las Vegas law enforcement departments. Of course, these two new vehicles are not ordinary Yukons. They have been specially crafted by GMC so as to become a “Mobile Analysis Unit” or would be commonly known as MAU.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer states, “GM has been a great partner for years on many of my movies and TV shows and in the case of ‘CSI’, GMC offered to expand their support for the show. We jumped at the chance to have another tool to tell our stories and the result was the creation of the MAU.” Bay, the director, adds, “As a director, it was important that we shoot these sports in the same creative tone and integrity of ‘CSI’. This unique project allowed me the opportunity to collaborate with Jerry to introduce the MAU.”

Of course, these new vehicles would be working just as hard as the people behind it to serve justice. GMC’s marketing director, Steve Rosenblum, complies, “We believe this initiative shows our commitment to the entertainment industry’s creative community. We’ve worked closely with the show’s creative team to ensure the MAU was both functional and realistic as a crime-fighting tool. And we’re thrilled that beyond the show, the vehicles will be put to test by real-life law enforcement officials.”

So what do these new MAUs have? Well, it has a steel gray metallic exterior. Inside is an integrated KVH TracVision A5 in-motion digital satellite TV receiver. The vehicle also has exterior mirrors with integrated strobes, chrome tubular assist steps, front bumper guards, skid plates, and integrated winches, a power liftgate, and illuminated slide-out Plexiglass evidence trays.

These vehicles would be surely put to the test soon enough. Just like auto parts stores like Auto Parts Discount. All have been put to the test with regards to their products. Not all have passed but some soared through with flying colors. Auto Parts Discount is one of the latter.

GM To Face Another Lawsuit Due to Faulty Windshield Wipers

General Motors Company should recall 7.5 million GM trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans of the 1994-1999 model years due to faulty wipers as stated in the lawsuit filed last Monday in the US District Court in Jefferson City. The suit also asserts that GM "demonstrated a conscious disregard for the safety and well-being" of people using those cars.

GM already recalled 1.7 million cars in 2003 due to problems in the windshield wiper circuit board and motor covers. Good thing it did not lead to fatal road accidents. This time, however, more than 11 cases of crashes together with more or less 225,000 warranty claims became the cause of the faulty wipers as shown in federal investigations.

The lawsuit is lead by plaintiffs Timothy and Gloria Owen of Jefferson City Missouri who wanted to make the company responsible for the reimbursement of the cost they spent for the windshield repair of their 1999 Ford SUV. They aired out their concerns to the company but these seemed to fall on deaf ears. They then asked for back-up from other concerned authorities.

Certainly, windshield wipers are of vital importance in the over-all safety of the car’s occupants by keeping the cleanliness and clarity of the windshield. Rain, dirt, dust and other substances and particles can cause visual distortions that can affect the vision of the driver. Windshield wipers must be regularly checked together with the front side marker lights, clear turn signal and head lights. You can have these components from Auto Parts Discount.