Summer Auto Technology Tune Up

edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

The snow is melting, the weather is turning warmer, and pretty soon those April showers will turn to May flowers; it’s the perfect time to take a road trip. Of course, years ago a road trip meant the wind in your hair, the scenery flying by and the sound of the road beneath you was all you had for entertainment – no longer. These days a trip to the shore doesn’t mean sacrificing on the creature comforts of home. So when you’re checking the tire pressure, topping off the wiper fluid and changing the oil, keep in mind these tips to tune up your car’s tech:

Getting there is half the battle – While the open road is part of the thrill, it gets less enjoyable when you’re covering seeing the same scenery over and over as you look for that cute bed and breakfast. A GPS unit can be a lifesaver. Mounting one is usually as simple as attaching the suction cup mount to the GPS unit and then sticking it to the windshield. Once that’s done, run the wire from the back of the unit to your vehicle’s cigarette plug. You’re all set!

Maybe getting there is 75% of the battle – Nothing can turn a trip sour quicker than a break in or an accident. Fortunately, technology can reduce your risk of both. Even if you didn’t decide on an alarm from the factory, there are many after-market options that can be added. In addition, that fancy in-dash unit can help you conquer your fear of a fender bended by adding back up cameras and sensors.

These tend to be pretty complex items to install, so if you aren’t handy with tools and electronics, consider a professional installation. It will cost a little, but it should buy a lot of piece of mind.

A quiet car is a happy car – Consider bringing along some form of video entertainment if your road trip will include little ones. Your options here include a simple portable DVD player, or a custom installation, which can place the screen overhead. A custom installation will hide the wiring and mean that even the youngest kids can be entertained without worrying about dropping the player or working a confusing remote.

Wireless headphones are a great option if you’d rather not listen to The Incredibles for the 17th time.

A not-quiet car can also be a happy car – It may not be an 8-track and an AM radio, but chances are that the system in your vehicle could still stand a little bit of upgrading. Many of the newer head units offer great features such as MP3 player integration and CD players/changers. These are great additions and will keep you and your passengers entertained.

To take it to the next level. Consider adding amplifiers and upgrading the speakers. This can be an involved installation, so consult an expert if it looks daunting, but the results may very well put your home theater system to shame.

Never lose the beat – One of the biggest frustrations of a road trip is running out of music. You’re out of range of your favorite stations and you’ve listened to all your CDs. Satellite radio fixes that. With hundreds of channels of programming – many of them commercial free – you’ll be set no matter where you are.

Consider which is the right satellite option for you, whether it be an in-dash unit, a portable player that connects via the FM tuner or an add-on module for a stereo that is already equipped.

This is not the kind of stuff I try to do myself. I am overwhelmed by anything that involves more than installing two double AA batteries. I call Geek Squad

For help with all your auto and technology needs, call 1-800-GEEK SQUAD to set up an onsite consultation, find a location near you at www.geeksquad.com

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer and a proud member of the Texas Auto Writers Association. Read her stories on www.travellady.com.  www.carladynews.com,  www.yogayaya.com,  www.chcoolateatlas.com,  www.cocktailatlas.com,  www.teaAtlas.com,  www.coffeeatlas.com