The Holiday Travel Season Isn't Quite Over Yet....

Six Tips for Traveling with Your Pets

Let's face it; you're probably going to have to do more traveling before the holidays are over. Bringing your pets along is sometimes a necessity. If you're planning a trip with Fido, here's what you can do to help make the trip safe and enjoyable.  (Note:  It is definitely NOT recommended for you to put your dog in a regular seat belt.  We just thought this was an amusing image.)  

1.	Dogs and cats need to be secured properly, both for their safety and yours. The first and best option is to crate your animal for the duration of the trip. For large animals, a more feasible option is to use a special harness that attaches to your vehicle's seatbelt. Crates and harnesses are available at your local pet store.
2.	The ASPCA cautions against allowing pets to ride with their heads out the window of a moving vehicle. Not only do they risk being hit with a flying object, but they are also at risk of inner ear damage and lung infections.
3.	The noises and movement from car travel make many pets anxious. This anxiety can be expressed through barking, shaking, excessive drooling or even vomiting. Prepare your pets for a long trip well before you plan to leave. Start slowly by getting them used to being in the car. Once they are a little more comfortable, condition them with short trips around the block, gradually extending the duration of these trips. If your pet still suffers car anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about medications. Also consider keeping stain and odor remover in the trunk, just in case of an accident.
4.	Don't feed your pet right before you plan to leave. Instead, give him or her a light meal a few hours in advance. Never feed your pet in a moving vehicle.
5.	Just as you will on a long trip, your pet will need periodic pit stops and stretch breaks, too. Bring along a leash, water and small treats, as well as a favorite toy the pet can play with for some exercise.
6.	If you're planning overnight hotel stays, be sure to check in advance whether the hotel has pet-friendly policies.

4 Tips For Holiday Travel With Children

The highways will be crowded this holiday season with drivers making their way to holiday feasts, shopping malls and family visits. If you're planning a trip with children, here are four tips to make the drive safe and enjoyable:

1.	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends children sit in the back seat and be buckled-up properly.
	Infants (under 20 lbs.) should ride in rear-facing convertible seats with harness straps at or below shoulder level. Toddlers (20-40 lbs.) should ride in forward-facing convertible seats with harness straps at or above shoulders. Young children (more than 40 lbs.) should ride in a forward-facing booster seat with the lap belt fitting across the upper thighs and shoulder belt snug across the chest.
2.	One of the best ways to keep your family safe is to stay awake during your trip. The National Sleep Foundation and the AAA Foundation recommend the following:
	Get a good night's sleep before your trip — 7-9 hours for adults and 8 ½-9 ½ hours for teens Make sure a passenger is awake to talk to the driver. Avoid medications that can impair performance. Recognize signs of fatigue: lane drifting, hitting rumble strips, repeated yawning, tailgating, difficulty focusing. Schedule stops every two hours or 100 miles.
3.	Bring along toys, books and video games to keep the kids busy. If you're planning a long drive, be prepared for frequent bathroom and food stops.
4.	If your child gets car sick, check with your doctor about possible medications to bring on the trip. To minimize the risk of carsickness, try driving at a constant speed, cracking a window, and feeding light snacks along the way to prevent the need for a heavy meal.

Happy Holidays, From Jiffy Lube of Oregon

Jiffy Lube of Oregon wants to take a moment to thank our loyal customers this holiday season.  Without you and your trusty cars, we couldn't help make the world a better place, one Signature Service Oil Change at a time.  We hope you will consider visiting us for one more SSOC before the end of the year. We value your business and wish you the happiest of the holidays.  

Official Oregon State Driving Guide For Winter

The Governor's Transportation/Tourism Task Force released a new publication in 2007, the "Oregon Winter Driving Guide", to help motorists safely navigate the roads this winter.
 
The "Oregon Winter Driving Guide" contains information on Oregon's laws that govern use of tire chains, tips for driving in icy or snowy conditions, and a checklist of equipment for roadside emergencies. The free guide is available at visitor information centers and convention bureaus, welcome centers and information kiosks, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Department of Transportation offices, and from members of the Oregon Lodging Association. The guide is also available online at tripcheck.com, traveloregon.com, oregontic.com, and oregonlodging.com. A link is also available at the end of this page.
 
OSP and ODOT recommend the following travel safety tips to help get you safely to your destination:
 
* Expect the unexpected. Be informed and prepared when traveling on any of our highways.
 
* When traveling anywhere, plan ahead and take known routes if possible. Our weather has been changing quickly and sometimes without warning. For road conditions in Oregon, call 5-1-1 or (800) 977-ODOT (6368). Outside Oregon, dial (503) 588-2941. Visiting TripCheck.com on the Internet provides information on road and weather conditions, incidents and traffic delays, and links to numerous cameras on many mountain passes and major routes.
 
* Take the time to keep up on current and future weather conditions in the area you are traveling, especially if going to or through higher elevations and mountain passes, areas where your vehicle needs to have appropriate traction tires or devices.
 
* If considering a remote route that you have never traveled on, don't hesitate to contact available road and weather condition phone numbers or Internet resources, or contact police or highway department officials.
 
* Prepare an emergency kit to place in your car for longer trips and keep track of how much fuel is in your tank, especially if traveling unfamiliar routes or into remote locations.
 
* Let friends and family know what routes you plan to take when on a trip, keeping them updated and letting them know if these plans change.
 
* Drive to the conditions. If it's icy or wet, increase your following distance and reduce your speed. Use your headlights to improve not only your visibility, but also so others can see your vehicle.
 
* In bad weather, don't use cruise control.
 
To see and print a copy of the brochure, click on this link Winter Driving Guide