With the rash of car burglaries and thefts continuing, Millburn Police have repeatedly warned residents to start locking their car doors and keeping their valuables out of sight.

“People need to wake up to the reality that they now need to lock their car doors,” said Captain James Miller, police public information officer. “People come through our town looking for cars to steal or break-in to.”

Now police are also encouraging residents to safeguard their valet keys to help prevent vehicle theft.

“Many high end cars provide the owner with an additional key for use by a parking attendant,” said Capt. James Miller, public information officer. “This key, referred to as the valet key will operate the car without allowing access to certain locked compartments.  It is important to safeguard the valet key as you would your other car keys.”

Miller offered the following tips as well: 

• Never leave the valet key in your unattended car.
• Lock your car and take your keys, even in your own driveway.  
• Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle. If you must, never leave them in plain view.
• If your vehicle is burglarized or stolen, immediately contact police.

On Sunday, May 29, at 7:27 p.m. a Farview Drive resident reported the attempted theft of her car while it was parked in the driveway her home between 6 p.m. on Saturday night and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The unlocked vehicle was entered and the ignition switch was tampered with. A GPS unit and radar detector were stolen from the vehicle.

Also on Sunday, at 10:30 a.m. a Chestnut Street resident reported the theft of his 2009 Acura from his driveway. The theft occurred between 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night and the time he called police on Sunday. It was reported in this case that the vehicle was locked and no keys were in the car.

In addition on Sunday around noon, a Sagamore Road resident reported the burglary of two vehicles parked overnight in the driveway. The glove compartments of both vehicles had been opened however nothing was damaged or stolen. It is believed that the incidents occurred between 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday

Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol and one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Spanish coastline. Travellers arriving at Malaga Airport are eager to explore the Andaluca region, and when it comes to arranging their car hire at Malaga British holidaymakers are spoilt for choice.

With more than 30 companies, and a comprehensive range of vehicles to choose from at the airport, it can be confusing and time consuming. So the best idea is to book your car hire for Malaga ahead of time. An online car hire comparison website such as carrentals.co.uk will take the stress out of hiring a vehicle. They cover more than 700 locations in Spain alone, making car hire in Spain an easy task.

So what are the best tips for car hire at Malaga Airport?

There is no doubt that you will enjoy the Costa del Sol, which means sunshine coast. Look forward to beautiful walks along the summer beaches, and relax while strolling along the promenades on a cool evening, sampling the wares of the late night markets, and finish the evening in a bar overlooking the sea as the sun goes down.

Whether you are searching for car hire in Malaga, or perhaps you would like to arrange your car hire at Faro Airport in Portugal, or maybe Miami International Airport in Florida, or any other global destination, Carrentals.co.uk will compare the prices of more than 50 car hire companies to get the best deal on the market.

For further information, please visit www.carrentals.co.uk/car-hire/malaga-guide.html.

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Top 5 Auto Problems Can Reduce Gas Mileage and Leave Motorists Stranded

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — As vacationers pack up their cars, trucks and SUVs to embark on weekend getaways and summer road trips, national gas prices and average vehicle age are reaching all-time highs.  A study by CarMD.com Corporation, a leading provider of consumer automotive diagnostic products and information, also finds that 64% of U.S. vehicle owners have put off automotive maintenance, increasing the risk of vehicle problems.  In response, CarMD reveals the top five most frequent car repairs that, if ignored, can significantly reduce gas mileage and lead to roadside breakdowns, along with tips to help motorists avoid becoming a tow truck company statistic this summer.    

1. Replace Oxygen Sensor – The no. 1 reason for the dreaded “check engine” light last year was a faulty oxygen (O2) sensor, which monitors the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust and tells your car’s computer when there is too much (or not enough) fuel.  A faulty O2 sensor can reduce gas mileage by up to 40 percent.  During a 500-mile road trip, an unrepaired O2 sensor can cost you an extra $50 at the pump.  Your car may be running just fine but the meter at the pump will be running even faster.  If you drive an older car with high mileage chances are you’ll need to replace an O2 sensor or two as part of the normal aging process.  O2 sensors don’t cost very much (usually about $20) and with today’s gas prices they will pay for themselves very quickly  
2. Check Gas Cap – A loose, faulty or cracked gas cap is the second most common “check engine” light culprit, accounting for more than 9 percent of repairs in CarMD’s automotive repair database.  If left ignored, a faulty gas cap may reduce your fuel economy by a couple miles per gallon.  Loose, cracked and missing gas caps cause an estimated 147 million gallons of expensive fuel to evaporate each year.  The good news is this is an inexpensive problem to repair, even during a road trip.  The best way to avoid gas cap problems altogether is to tighten the cap after every fill-up or consider a locked gas cap.
3. Replace Catalytic Converter – The 3rd most common repair is to “replace the catalytic converter,” but it really shouldn’t even be in the top 10 most frequent repairs.  A catalytic converter normally won’t fail unless a smaller faulty part, such as a spark plug or O2 sensor, is ignored for too long.  A failed catalytic converter can cost as much as $2,000 to repair and will quickly cause severe damage to your car, as indicated by a blinking check engine light.  If you ever see a blinking check engine light on your dash, pull over immediately, stop driving and have the vehicle towed to a repair shop.  Paying attention to your car’s warning signs and fixing little problems early can help you avoid expensive catalytic converter repairs, among others.
4. Replace Mass Air Flow Sensor – The 4th most common repair is “replace mass air flow (MAF) sensor,” which measures the amount of air supplied to your car’s engine and determines how much fuel to deliver into the engine. When malfunctioning, it can result in a lack of power, engine hesitation or surge upon acceleration.  If left unfixed, a bad mass air flow sensor can also lower your fuel economy by 10 to 25%. It is particularly susceptible to dry, dusty summer road conditions.  An easy and affordable way to keep your mass air flow sensor healthy is by keeping your car’s air filer clean.  Air filters usually cost less than $20 to replace, while mass air flow sensors run about $300 in parts and labor.
5. Replace Spark Plug – The 5th most common car repair last year was “replace spark plug or spark plug wire.”  The small but mighty spark plug is responsible for igniting a car’s air/fuel ratio and can cause big problems when it fails.  At a minimum, a faulty spark plug will reduce gas mileage by about 10 to 20%, but more concerning is its potential to cause a misfire that can melt and permanently damage your car’s catalytic converter(s). Spark plugs usually need to be replaced every 30,000 to 40,000 miles, but can fail earlier if you have a lot of oil or dirt build up in your engine.  If you do it yourself, replacing a spark plug can cost under $10. Having it done by certified mechanic costs a couple hundred dollars or so, but can save thousands.

All of the problems listed above are tied to your car’s computerized diagnostic system, which is designed to alert you to large and small problems through your vehicle’s “check engine” light.  This technology is standard on all vehicles manufactured since 1996.  CarMD’s network of automotive service excellence-certified technicians has been compiling a database to track vehicle failures, repairs and related costs for the past 14 years, and is sharing this information to help educate motorists.  The best way to avoid these and other car problems and breakdowns is to follow a regularly scheduled maintenance program that includes regular fluid changes, proper tire inspection and maintenance, and quick attention to all warning lights.   Another good way to monitor your vehicle’s health and maintenance is with the CarMD® Vehicle Health System™.  Available at www.carmd.com, this product gives consumers a quick and easy way to check for hidden problems, identify safety issues, and estimate repairs before taking that weekend getaway or summer drive trip.  

About CarMD  

The mission of Fountain Valley, Calif.-based CarMD.com Corporation is to empower consumers and the vehicle market by providing the tools and information needed to make better-educated decisions about their vehicles’ health and maintenance.  An ISO 9001:2008-certified company, CarMD’s premiere product is the CarMD® Vehicle Health System™.   The company has also built the largest, most up-to-date database of diagnostic trouble codes; expert fixes and repair costs, which it uses to compile the annual CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™.  For more information about the Index, visit http://corp.carmd.com.  For information about the company, its products and other consumer tips, visit www.CarMD.com.    

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Art Jacobsen

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=90636

SOURCE CarMD.com Corporation

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It is great to be young isn’t it? Well you might think so but there are some times where being young can work against you and one of these times is when you are buying car insurance. This is one instance where it is better to be older. Cheap car insurance is almost impossible to find if you are a young driver. Young drivers do not have as much experience in life or behind the wheel and they are more likely to be involved in car accidents. They are more prone to taking unnecessary risks and as a result, they are charged quite a bit for car insurance. But is there a way that young drivers can get cheap car insurance?

Cheap car insurance for young drivers is very hard to come by but there are a number of things that they can do to get their car insurance at reduced rates. Knowing what to do and where to look can help you to make significant savings on your car insurance if you are a young driver. Below are a few tips to help young drivers get cheaper car insurance:

• Choosing the car that you drive very carefully is important. The type of car that you are driving is taken into consideration by the insurance company when they are working out your car insurance premiums. For example, a car with a big engine will cost more to insure than a smaller engine car. Flashy or brand new cars are also more expensive as they will cost the car insurance company more to replace or repair should there be any damage in an accident for example.

• If you are a young driver and you are still living at home, then you may want to get insured on your parent’s car insurance policy, at least for a couple of years anyway. It will be cheaper to get insurance as a named driver rather than taking out a separate policy and you can build up a no claims bonus as a named driver.

• Being careful when you drive will be something that can help you to get cheaper car insurance. This is not something that will help you the first time that you get car insurance but as the years go by, you will be rewarded for having a clean driving licence. Not only will you get cheaper car insurance but you will also find that it will keep you safe.

• Compare a number of car insurance quotes before choosing your car insurance company. It is true that most of us these days are paying too much for our car insurance. By looking around and finding a number of quotes, you might be surprised at how much you can actually save.

Memorial Day Weekend is almost here, the official launch of summer and weeks when the Land of 10,000 Lakes becomes the highway of 10,000 road trips.

We’re getting an early start on the family vacation this year with a long weekend in Omaha for my grandmother’s 90th birthday, an event I’m both excited about and filled with dread over.

I can’t wait to finally greet my family, many of whom have never even seen our new son, except via Facebook pictures and YouTube videos. But the actual process of getting there? That is definitely not something I’m looking forward to.

Night Driving
“We learned pretty early on from our car trips to Omaha with Vi that our best bet for easy traveling was to take off shortly before she was ready to go to bed, and to drive on through the night.

As an infant, Vi tended to fall asleep every time you stuck her in a carseat, so driving with her during the day meant staying up all night later when she wouldn’t sleep due to overnapping. 

The other side of the coin from sleeping child: screaming infant or bored toddler, neither of which were conducive to long car rides.

Then on one trip we blew a tire at 10 p.m. on the interstate. Between unloading our car, changing a flat on the side of the road and consoling a crying child—who couldn’t come out of her carseat or be held since I had to hold my cell phone as a flashlight—that was pretty much it for the drive-at-night theory.

But now we have two children to consider and are probably going to go back to the steering wheel, as it were. I hope we will have an uneventful trip, with Vi watching a movie for a bit until it’s time for her to go to sleep, and Bass sleeping the entire ride (a nice change for a baby who recently has decided that sleeping through the night is no longer his activity of choice).

Day Tripping
Without Bass, we’d likely switch to daytime travel, now that Vi is old enough to entertain herself a bit more while we are on the road.

On our last trip we factored in a few extra hours to add additional activities (and leg stretching/potty breaks) to the excursion. We brought a cooler full of foods that she picked out herself, and picnicked at a rest stop along the way. We dropped in at an old-fashioned candy store and let her get a treat for the rest of the trip. And whenever the inevitable whining started emanating from her carseat, we brought out a new coloring book, cartoon or small toy for her to play with, keeping her distracted until the next stop.

That sort of thing doesn’t work as well with an infant, unfortunately. Each stop of the car becomes a fight to get moving again before he wakes up, crying, upset because the motion that lulld him off to sleep has ended.

There’s the search for the soothie that always falls out, wedging itself underneath his chubby thighs if we are lucky, or in the dirty car floor if we aren’t.  Plus the fear that he will wake up hungry, demanding a bottle, adding an extra half hour or more to a trip that’s already a tad too long for our comfort.

So, we’ll travel at night. We’ll hope for the best. And this time we’ll be sure at the very least we have a real flashlight.