Happy Monday! Our car tip this week is to always be prepared. Here are the things you should keep in your car at all times. Safe driving!

Nobody wants to breakdown and be left stranded on the side of the road somewhere due to car trouble. Some people, never really give the idea a thought; they get in their cars, start the engine and go. For some others, the possibility of breaking down while driving, is a real; ever present fear that could happen at any moment, on every journey, usually due to some known, unattended mechanical problem with their car. Whatever the case may be, breakdowns are commonly a random event, so drivers should try to be prepared if one should find themselves in such a predicament.

There are 5 essential items that every car should have stored in them at all times…… in case you find yourself stranded on the side of the road due to car trouble.

Spare Tire, Tire iron & Jack

Chances are, at some point, you’re going to get a flat tire. Changing a flat car tire may seem difficult at first, but it's quite easy and straight forward when you have the proper tools, mainly the tire iron (wheel stud remover) and car jack for that particular type of car. Every new car comes with a spare tire and car jack kit, therefore every car should have a set, usually hidden somewhere in the truck area. In some early model foreign cars, you might find the tire iron or jack under the back passenger seat somewhere. Know where your spare tire, tire iron and jack are located in your automobile. This will save you the frustration of trying to find them in the darkness or at the side of the highway with traffic whizzing by.

Jumper Cables or a Portable Battery Booster Pack

Battery failure can happen anywhere, at any time, and to anyone, sometimes twice or more in one day. Next to a flat tire, a dead battery is one of the most common things that will leave you stuck. A weak or failing battery, forgetting to turn off your headlights, leaving your dome/map lights on overnight, or even a loose battery wire connection can cost you big in inconvenience and money- if you're not prepared. Keeping a pair of jumper cables in your car is a smart move. But even better, is a mobile battery power pack.

A 12 volt portable battery booster pack enables you to start your car without the assistance of another car. Two large alligator clip connectors - one red for positive, one black for negative, attach to your car battery as a set of jumper cables from another car would. Turn the booster pack on, and then start your car. It's that easy and that quick. They come in various power ratings for different size cars. Anything above 400A (cold cranking amps) will start most small to midsize vehicles. They can cost anywhere from 55 to 100 dollars. Having a charged portable battery booster pack in your car can be priceless. Trying to find someone to help you boost your car is not always easy, especially if it's cold, rainy, and late at night or early in the morning.

Flashlight

Having a flashlight handy is always a good thing. In a car break down situation, it makes the whole process of changing a tire or jump starting your car, go smoother. When you can see what you're doing you'll feel more confident about 'what' you're doing and you're more likely to finish faster. Rather than fumbling around in the dark. Also, when you stand beside your car holding a flashlight that is on, it acts like a beacon showing other drivers that you are there….so they don't run you over. This goes the same for if you run out of gas and decide to walk to the next gas station…you should bring a flashlight …so other drivers can see you well in advance.

Emergency Road Kit

You can get a readymade mobile safety kit from most of the major big box stores in the automotive department. Usually a good kit will include all the frill and sprinkles such as: booster cables, air compressor, muti-tools, flashlight, emergency blanket, gloves, rain poncho, first aid kit, collapsible metal shovel, reflective triangles, road flares, and disposable camera.

One could make their own emergency road kit to best suit their climate conditions and or personal needs for considerably less than it would cost to buy one. Other items one might want to add to their mobile emergency road kit could include: food/water, clothing, winter weather tools or gear, engine fluids, the list could go on. The idea is for your kit to be compact and functional. It's up to the individual to decide what would be the best for their situation.

You can't pick where and when you're going to have engine trouble. The only thing you can do is control how you're ready to deal with the scenario if it should arise. Having the items mentioned earlier will aid in keeping you safe and give you a peace of mind if you're ever stuck on the side of the road.

Source: Infobarrel

Folks, check out our new safety innovation, EyeSight™, with pro driver Emile Bouret. Available now on 2013 Subaru Outback

Subaru XV Crosstrek Surfing Day

With our manufacturer offers, you could lease a 2013 Subaru Forester for as low as $229/month!

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Subaru Legacy, 2013: Overlooked Sedan

Many mid-size sedan buyers act like lemmings, continually buying the same make of vehicle year after year. Otherwise, a lot more Subaru Legacy mid-size sedans would be bought.

Rivals to the Legacy — essentially an overlooked gem — include the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Most receive far more advertising and have a considerably larger owner body.

Not that Subaru hasn’t been around for decades. It began to get its feet as a small, cramped front-wheel drive model that nevertheless was rugged. It became a favorite for rough New England winters, and for years was known as a “New England” or “Northeast” car. Few Americans knew it scored well in tough European rallies.

Subaru began switching from inexpensive  economy cars to more upscale models later than rivals. It built a terrific sports car — the SVX — in the early 1990s, but few could identify Subaru with a sports car, so the SVX eventually was dropped. However, hot-car lovers have readily accepted the more modern, very fast Subaru Impreza WRX four-seater, which had done well in tough overseas rallies.(Times change, so Subaru recently introduced a nifty sports car called the BRZ, which is Subaru’s only rear-drive model. It was developed with Toyota’s Scion division, and has gotten good reviews.)

While, not as big as many major competitors, Subaru has moved up in the world since its switch to standard all-wheel-drive for its models. More recently, models such as the Impreza, Outback and Legacy have helped improve sales.

The Legacy got a major redesign in 2010, when it received a roomier, nicer interior.
The handsome, tightly built 2013 Legacy is much the same as the 2012 model, but has minor trim changes and revised styling with new headlights, grille and front bumper.

Legacy base prices range from $20,295 for the base 2.5i to $28,895 for the top-line 3.6R Limited. All trim levels are well-equipped, especially the higher-line ones, and have Subaru’s exceptional all-wheel-drive system.

The 2013 Subaru also has an optional new “Eyesight” option that provides such things as pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. It will stop the car at lower speeds without driver control to avoid hitting an object.The sporty turbocharged 2.5 GT has been dropped. That leaves the Legacy with models that have either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 173 horsepower (up from 170) or a 3.6-liter six-cylinder with 256 horsepower — unchanged from 2012.

Both compact engines have horizontally opposed pistons, as do Porsche sports car engines, to allow a lower center of gravity for better handling.

The four-cylinder comes with a six-speed manual gearbox or CVT automatic transmission. The “six” comes only with a five-speed automatic.

Subaru says the four-cylinder makes the Legacy the most economical mid-size all-wheel-drive vehicle, with preliminary estimated fuel economy of 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on highways.

The six-cylinder provided fast merging and quick 65-80 mph passing on highways. The five-speed automatic transmission performed smoothly and efficiently, and its manual shift feature, via steering wheel paddles, also worked well. Fuel economy is an estimated 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on highways.

The steering is firm, but nicely geared and accurate. A thick steering wheel provides a good grip. The ride is comfortable, with the suspension soaking up bumps, and the brakes work strongly and have good pedal feel. I easily swept through freeway on-and off-ramps at above-average speeds, although that showed that the seats could use more side support.

This is an exceptionally roomy car, especially in the rear, and occupants sit high.

The large trunk has a low, wide opening, with a lid that raises smoothly on twin struts. Split rear seatbacks, which have release handles in the trunk, fold flat to enlarge the cargo area.

My test car’s quiet interior looked upscale. There was a fair amount of plastic in the dashboard area, but it looked like high-grade stuff. Brightly lit backlit gauges could be quickly read in sunlight. Controls were easily reached. But sound system controls and the dashboard screen used with them often can’t be easily utilized when driving. Large outside mirrors assist rear vision.

The air conditioning worked well on 90-plus-degree days..

Sun visors with slide-out extensions to block out more of the sun are a nice touch, especially when driving into the sun during late afternoons. Door pockets are too slim to be of much good, and a thick owner’s manual occupies most of the glove compartment. But the console has a large, covered bin. And front cupholders are conveniently positioned.

The hood raises on twin struts, and fluid-filler areas can be easily reached. As with the trunk lid, the hood is lined.

The 2013 Legacy delivers a lot for the money and deserves more consideration from the generally conservative folks who shop for mid-size sedans.

Source: The Weekly Driver