Thanksgiving Travel To Be Up From Last Year

With gas prices at a lower price than they were at last year, Thanksgiving travel is expected to be up by about 3% compared to a year ago. This great news makes us want to ask the question. Where are you planning on going for Thanksgiving this year? Will you be staying in town or driving to be with the entire family? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

To learn more about this year's travel statistics, take a look at this article from USA Today. Also, remember to stay safe and have a great time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving! There is always much to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Tips

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, many have plans to travel to a family get together or to warmer destinations. But how prepared are you really for your upcoming travels? We take a look a strategies and tips that may help ensure that your travels go as smoothly as possible.

Travel Light:
As more airlines start charging for checked bags, it’s a good idea to pack light and carry on your bag. But keep in mind that your fellow travelers will all have the same idea and overhead space may be tight onboard.

Choose the Best Days:
Did you know the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year closely followed by the Sunday after the big day? Avoid these days by flying out on Monday or Tuesday or even Thanksgiving morning to avoid the dreaded Wednesday travel rush. When you’re ready to head home, take flight on Friday when many have moved on from the airports to the shopping centers to score the best holiday deals.

Stay Tech Savvy:
It’s commonsense to arrive at the airport early — you’ll need the time for parking, security whatever else airports have waiting for you. But you can avoid some airport hassles by taking advantage of useful applications that can be used on your smart phone. iPhone users can get updates on the airport, including maps showing the gates and restaurant information, using the GateGuru app. Airlines including Southwest, Delta and United all have mobile websites where passengers can check in, confirm seats and keep track of their flight status. Specifically on an airline like Southwest, it’s very important to check-in to your flight 24 hours prior. By doing this ASAP ensures you a better number in line to claim the seat that you desire.

Holiday Driving:
While you certainly save money and avoid some headaches traveling by land, navigating the highways presents its own set of holiday challenges. Follow the same best practices for road travel, including avoiding the highways on the Wednesday before turkey day and the following Sunday. Plan your route ahead of time and travel with a GPS system, smart phone or old-school maps to offer alternatives if you need a Plan B.

Remember though, your travels could be a stressful situation but remember to appreciate the time you’re spending with your loved ones. Have fun this Thanksgiving, be safe and plan ahead.

Don't Leave Home Without These Travel Apps

 

As the Holidays begin to approach, many have plans to travel to different locations whether it's to visit family or just to get away. The big question is, do you have the apps necessary for traveling?

With so many apps out there today, lets take a look at which 11 apps you should have when traveling according to Buzzfeed. These apps are perfect whether you're flying or driving:

1. Translator with Speech
2. Lyft
3. WhatsApp Messenger
4. LoungeBuddy
5. XE Currency
6. Rove
7. GonnaGo
8. Travel List
9. WikiHood
10. RoadNinja
11. City Maps 2Go

Winter Weather and Your Car, Is It Ready?

Have you prepared your car for the winter weather that’s fast approaching? Here are some tips to make sure you are fully prepared for whatever this year’s winter weather decides to throw at you.

Regular Maintenance

Now’s the time to get your car up to speed on all of its regular maintenance. That means taking care of any fluids that may have been neglected while you were out enjoying the summer sun or going in for that 60,000-mile tune-up if you’re due. Check, change and/or top off your oil, coolant, brakes and transmission fluid as needed. In the case of your oil or automatic transmission, make sure you get a high-quality filter, too.

When looking at your car’s brakes, check to see if your rotors are warped or cracked. Do they have deep grooves or are the pads worn close to their minimum clearance? Your vehicle will be experiencing harsher conditions soon, so avoid any potential problems as soon as possible. Make sure all your lights are working properly to ensure good visibility. New bulbs are easy to install yourself or easy to have installed when getting your vehicle serviced. The same goes for windshield wipers. If your blades are more than six months old, odds are it’s time to swap them out for new ones.

Check Your Tires

Go ahead and have your tires rotated and inspected. The last thing you need in cold, wet weather is to be driving on bald or dry rotted tires.

Consider looking into snow (or winter) tires, depending on your location or length of time you’ll be spending in the snow. Winter tires are made with special low temperature resilient rubber compounds and have deep treads that grip unplowed snow and ice.

Don’t forget to make sure your spare tire has enough air in it. Once you’ve made sure everything looks good, take a look at your tire pressure.

Stock Your Car

Stranded by the side of the road can be dangerous in the best of conditions, but when sub-zero temperatures or bad weather is involved, it could become deadly. Try carrying these helpful items in your vehicle:

- a blanket
- jumper cables
- a flashlight
- chains
- a first-aid kit
- a small knife
- flares
- water gloves
- small shovel
- waterproof matches
- ice scraper
- a bag of sand or kitty litter to help provide traction if your car is stuck in the snow

What The Halloween Candy You Give Out Says About You

Every Halloween millions of Americans purchase their favorite candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters as they make their way around the neighborhood Halloween night. But, does the type of candy you give out say something specific about you as a person or your personality? Check out the infographic below to see what exactly each candy option says about you. Let us know if you agree in the comments section!

The best 2+2 sports car for $30,000, or $40k with tech

The sleek and compact $30,000 Mercedes-Benz CLA you saw in the Super Bowl commercial is real. The CLA is fabulously good-looking at the cost of rear-seat comfort. At the same time, it’s a genuine Mercedes with a lot of safety tech in the base model. Equipped for comfortable long-distance cruising, you’re closer to $40,000 than $30,000.

The hallmarks of the all-new seven-passenger 2013 GL-Class

Find your tires here and schedule a service appointment with our excellent staff today!

Let us help you ensure a safe, comfortable ride with a set of Mercedes-Benz-recommended tires.

Weekly Car Care Tip: Park in the shade

Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. As a bonus, you’ll have a cooler car to step into on hot sunny days. Car shades come in two basic types: those that you unfold and place on the front windshield and rear window, or pleated types that attach to the windshield posts (with adhesive), window frames (with Velcro), or the windows themselves (with suction cups).

Mercedes-Benz will build a ‘super S-class’ sedan in 2015

Mercedes-Benz may have given up on the ultra-luxurious Maybach sedan, but apparently not on very high-end luxury cars.
Dieter Zetsche, CEO of parent company Daimler-Benz, told Automotive News that a 2015 model “super S-class” will fill some of the over $200,000-space that Mercedes ceded when it killed the slow-selling Maybach.

The super S-class will compete with vehicles such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Bentley Mulsanne.

Some of Mercedes’ high-performance AMG models cost nearly $200,000, but Zetsche told Automotive News that the super S-class would give Mercedes “a bigger piece of that segment.”
The new luxury sedan will offer technology and interior features that top those of the standard S-class, he told the publication.

However, he said, it will be priced substantially lower than the Maybach, which cost about $470,000.

The All New 2014 Mercedes Benz E350 Sports Sedan!

The new S-Class scans the road ahead using Magic Body Control. This improved active suspension system can almost entirely compensate for body movements resulting from uneven roads!

2014 E-Class Sedan Driving Footage -- Mercedes-Benz

AMG Driving Academy "Carousel"

2014 E-Class Cabriolet -- Mercedes-Benz Convertible

Mercedes Benz Wednesday Car Feature: Active Blind Spot Assist

When your vehicle is traveling above approximately 20 mph, this system uses radar technology to sense when a vehicle enters the blind-spot area. Blind Spot Assist then automatically alerts the driver via an illuminated red icon in the appropriate side mirror. The system also gives an audible warning if the driver activates a turn signal while a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. And if you disregard the alerts and begin changing lanes, advanced active technology can apply the brake to a single rear wheel, to help guide the car back into its lane.

Bigger and roomier Mercedes-Benz C-Class headed our way in 2014

The rumor mill 's volume is turned up high with talk that the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be bigger, roomier and quite the stunner. The German car's automakers are reportedly looking to automotive steal the spotlight from such C-Class competitors as the BMW 3-Series and Audi 4 (also in line for a makeover) according to Automotive News.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class which is billed as one of the most sought after luxury rides in its category currently on the market will reportedly be dramatically different than the current 2013 model. It's no secret that the company is injecting youth into their design plans and have indicated that they are actively targeting the 'Similac set' for their classic midsized luxury ride.
Spy shots have hinted that the C-Class will have a striking resemblance to its larger and more expensive sibling, the redesigned S-Class scheduled to hit showrooms this fall.
The upcoming C-Class will have three body styles including a sedan. Additional 411 details regarding the C-Class includes a 2.0L 4-cylinder, a twin-turbo 3.0L V6, and an upgraded diesel, better fuel efficiency and innovative automatic stop/start system.
As far as technology, the C-Class will have loads of cutting-edge stuff:
•Internet connectivity
•Adaptive damping control
•Electro-mechanical steering
•Collision prevention system, with stereo camera
•Steering assist
•And Brake Assist Plus with Junction Assist
Mercedes-Benz C-Class enthusiasts can also expect a coupe version to come down the pike in about another two years which could be named CLK (a name that was dropped by the automaker). The auto grapevine says that a convertible C-Class with a fabric top should also zoom into dealer showrooms in early 2016.
Soccer moms should not salivate over the thought of a possible C-Class station wagon coming to these shores because it will only be sold in Europe.TT

How To Wash and Wax Your Car

It may seem counter-intuitive, but frequently washing and waxing your vehicle is the best way to maintain its exterior paint finish for years to come, regardless of the constant wiping and rubbing it entails — but only as long as you're using the right products in the correct order. All major brands of car washes, car waxes and related detailing products are specially formulated to work gently on the clear-coat paint finishes found on every car built since the mid-1990s. They're ideal for removing dirt above and below the surface, eliminating swirls and other imperfections and leaving a high-gloss shine.
Such obsessive-compulsive labor need not be arduous, however. While there are multiple procedures involved in washing and waxing a car to perfection, it's not necessary to do them all at once. Some steps should be taken weekly. Others can be employed every few months or annually. If you want to watch some pros using the techniques described in this story, check out the instructional videos from car-care product companies Meguiar's and Mothers.
At all times, there are some simple car wash rules to keep in mind:

• No matter which stage you're at in the car wash and wax process, it's always best to have the car parked in a cool, shady place.

If the water you're using to wash the car is hard — meaning that it contains a lot of minerals — it will leave spots on the paint's finish when it evaporates. That happens more quickly in hot sunlight. And although many modern, synthetic polymer-based car waxes are sun-friendly since they won't dry too quickly and become difficult to remove, you'll expend less effort if you use them on a cool surface. For best results, the car's surface should be no more than warm to the touch.

• Be sure to have a good stock of microfiber towels on hand for washing and drying the car, and for applying and removing car wax and related car-care products.

A microfiber towel is gentler to a car's finish than a cotton towel or chamois, which could mar the finish, creating slight scratches or ruts that accumulate over time. Microfiber towels require special care, however. Wash them separately from all other laundry and especially not with linty cotton towels. Use hot water and don't use fabric softener. Run them through at least one additional rinse cycle in the washing machine. Then dry them on a low-heat setting. Finally, stop using them on painted or glass surfaces when they begin to show their age by, for example, shedding lint. Instead, use them for polishing wheels and, later, for polishing stainless steel exhaust pipe tips.

• Keep the car's paint in showroom condition through a four-step process: washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing.

It's important to use the correct products at the correct stages. This will prevent unnecessary damage to your car's finish.
Washing
The most critical of the four steps is washing, which removes the loose contaminants that gradually accumulate on the surface of the finish, creating a gritty residue that could cause scratches in later steps if it's not removed properly first. This requires a genuine car wash product (such as Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash, Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wash and Wax or Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Car Wash). These products are pH-balanced and formulated to loosen and lift surface contaminants without stripping away waxes.
You should avoid normal dish soap, laundry soap and household cleaners. They are designed to remove and dissolve grease and oil, and they will strip away the waxes and in some instances could damage the car's finish.
Wash the car thoroughly, working from the top down and utilizing a lamb's wool or microfiber washing mitt. Professional car detailers prefer these because the nap of the lamb's wool or microfiber draws the dirt particles away from the paint. Re-dip the mitt in the bucket after each panel of the car is washed. That cleans the mitt and ensures that you're again working with fresh suds.
For soft convertible tops, dip a soft bristle brush in the suds and work the dirt out of the grain using small, circular strokes. If the top is heavily soiled or stained, use a product designed for convertible tops, such as Meguiar's Convertible Top Cleaner. These products are pH-balanced to safely lift dirt from cloth and vinyl tops without damaging the stitching.
Dry the car thoroughly with a soft, absorbent waffle-weave microfiber drying towel. Do not store the top in the down position if it is still wet, says the Haartz Corporation, a leading manufacturer of convertible tops. Make sure the top is completely dry before storing.
Experts recommend washing a car this way weekly.
For casual touch-ups between washes, you can use a spray-on product called a detailer (such as Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer, Mothers California Gold Showtime Instant Detailer and Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Spray Detailer). Detailer products slough off light surface dirt, but don't offer any protection.
Cleaning the Gunk
Next, inspect the paint, searching for above-the-surface bonded contaminants such as a thin film of tree sap, bird droppings or pollen and below-the-surface defects such as swirls, oxidation caused by the sun's ultraviolet radiation or etching from acid rain.
Lightly sweep your flat hand along the paint. If it does not feel as smooth as glass, you have above-the-surface contaminants. A clay bar designed for car care (such as the one included in Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit or in Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Kit) is mildly abrasive to shear off and remove these contaminants. It should be the first product you use to try to remove them. Rub it over the affected area, kneading and turning it to expose a clean area when necessary.
For below-the-surface defects, you can use a cleaner with mild abrasives (such as Meguiar's Ultimate Compound or Mothers California Gold Pure Polish). Use a microfiber-covered or foam applicator pad to apply it, using small circular, overlapping strokes. Never use hard pressure.
Cleaning a section of the vehicle at a time, remove the cleaner with a microfiber towel that you've folded into fourths. Use one side to break up and wipe away the hazy product, then flip the towel over to a clean side to remove any additional residue. Your paint should now feel smooth and should be free of swirls and defects.
If upon the initial inspection you do not find any defects — either above or below the surface — you can skip the cleaning step altogether and go straight to polishing and waxing. However, experts say that use of a clay bar probably will be necessary every six months.
Polishing
Polishes and glazes add luster but do not protect the finish, so using them is entirely optional, especially since clear-coat finishes are highly resistant to oxidation. Even years-old cars generally retain their shine today.
Nevertheless, products such as Meguiar's Ultimate Polish and Mothers California Gold Micro-Polishing Glaze can restore the natural oils your paint once had, making the car's surface more reflective and shiny. Using a polish or glaze once a year may be helpful. Although light-colored paints such as white, silver and tan may not display much change, darker colors such as black, burgundy and navy blue will reflect light like a mirror after proper polishing.
As you did during the cleaning process, apply the polish or glaze by hand, using small circular, overlapping strokes with a microfiber-covered or foam applicator pad on one section of the car at a time, removing the polish with a microfiber towel after the product becomes hazy. Don't allow the polish to dry completely. Trying to remove dry polish will almost certainly result in scratches to the finish.
Waxing
For protection, you need to apply a car wax, and experts recommend that this be done at least every three months. However, there are varieties of wax that can be used much more frequently. If you're really obsessive, some can be used as often as every few days.
The newest synthetic polymer-based waxes (such as Meguiar's Ultimate Wax, Mothers California Gold Synthetic Wax and Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Liquid Wax) generally provide longer-lasting protection and are easier to use in the sun than older-style carnauba-based waxes (such as Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Wax and Mothers California Gold Pure Brazilian Carnauba Wax).
Normally, the newer liquid or paste waxes provide the longest-lasting protection — usually three or four months if the car is kept in a garage and not exposed to a harsh environment.
When applying a liquid or paste wax, you'll use the same technique: small, circular, overlapping strokes, using a microfiber-covered or foam applicator pad and working one section of the vehicle at a time. As in the other steps, remove the wax with a microfiber towel that you've folded into fourths, using one side to break the waxy surface, then flipping the towel over to a clean side to remove any additional residue.
Spray waxes (such as Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax, Mothers California Gold Spray Wax and Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Spray Wax) are designed for quick application but generally don't offer the same long-lasting protection as the liquids or pastes. Experts say that spray waxes should be used as a booster between the quarterly applications of the liquid or paste waxes. Some car-care experts recommend using these spray waxes as often as twice per week. Some say once a month is sufficient.
A Special Caution on Matte Finishes
Except for washing with a car wash product, nothing should be done to or applied to a car covered in a matte paint with a flat finish, such as Mercedes-Benz's "designo Magno" series. These matte paints also can be cleaned in a brushless automated car wash as long as the machine does not apply any shine agents. And as with a car that sports a glossy finish, it is important to clean bird droppings, tree sap and other surface contaminants from a matte paint finish immediately.
Your Car Wax Mileage May Vary
Despite their suggestions for how often owners should clean and wax, product manufacturers won't make any firm promises for how long any of their products will actually protect a vehicle.
"How long a wax lasts on Car A is not necessarily true how long it lasts on Car B," says Michael Deddo, senior research chemist at Turtle Wax in Willowbrook, Illinois. "Every car is like its own paint canvas. Every one is different."

The Illuminated Star -- Mercedes-Benz Accessories

All-New 2014 S-Class Features -- "Vision Accomplished"