Busy Mom Reviews

Greetings from the beach!

The kids are getting bigger, and, each year our vacation ride gets tighter and tighter with the stuff, and, with the people.

The fine folks at Ford Motor Company graciously provided us use of a shiny new 2008 Ford Taurus X (formerly known as the Ford Freestyle), and, so far it's just what we needed.

When I first heard that I'd get to check out a "Taurus", I admit I thought, "How...functional." However, so far, we've driven over 700 miles, and, it's been great, and, I daresay, a lot of fun.

We're having Ford fun, Who knew?

It's what's known as a "tall wagon", not quite a van, not quite an SUV, and, there's room for everyone (this one has six seats), and, our stuff. We've had plenty of room to pack all the bulky vacation luggage, and, food, etc., and, everyone has been really comfortable.

As a matter of fact, the cargo area with the 3rd row folded holds two boys nicely:

It's really powerful (3.5-liter V-6) , and, so far, we've averaged about 25 mpg.

This model is also luxurious, not usually the first thing I think of about Ford, but, it is right fancy.
It has an onboard DVD system, Sirius Satellite Radio, and, GPS, so the kids are never going to want to give it back.

Actually, I'm pretty fascinated with the GPS thing myself. Drove around yesterday just to watch the little arrow thing move along the coastline.

The kids' favorite part is the one touch flip and fold second row seating. It's cool, to get to the 3rd row (which, btw, is quite comfortable for an adult) you push a button, and, the seat flips forward and folds itself up.

I know I'm easily entertained, but, so far, I've truly been impressed by this new Ford.

Actually, I've been especially impressed by the arctic blast air conditioning. It's really, really hot in Florida.

We're getting ready to take it fishing here in a little while, and, we've figured out that everything fits nicely because the 3rd row seats split, and, there's still room for a cooler.

For drinks. No one is putting fish in my shiny new car.

Yes, I can say "mine" for the next few weeks, anyway.

With gas prices the way they are, many people are going to be in the market for a more fuel efficient car.

I've seen more Ford Focuses (Foci?) than ever lately.

Anyway, Carmax.com is a good place to start your search online.

Their newly redesigned website allows you to search for vehicles based on reliability and safety ratings from the NHTSA and J.D. Power, customer and expert reviews from Edmunds.com and more.

Check it out!

The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to raising awareness about the economic importance and essential uses of diesel engines.

Founded in 2000, the DTF highlights the improvements in diesel fuel efficiency and emissions reductions, and progress to reduce the environmental impact of existing diesel engines, and future developments in clean diesel technology.

The DTF website has a number of interesting items such as a diesel calculator that helps you calculate the potential savings of using diesel fuel.

The Energy Information Administration has more about the current prices of diesel and gasoline and fueleconomcy.gov has a lot of information about vehicle mileage.

If you're not familiar with diesel technology, you can learn more here, or if you want to learn about the diesel vehicles for sale in the US, the DTF website has a list.

Also, the Diesel Technology Forum has an upcoming webinar, Clean Diesel – Driving America’s Energy Solutions, on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 10:30 am ET where you can learn more about the impact of diesel fuel technology.

In one month, we will have a new driver, and we're in the market for a new car.

There are lots of things I worry about (Me? Worry? I know, I hide it well, huh?), and car maintenance and safety, especially tires, is high on the list.

When you're an experienced driver, you feel like you know how to handle your worn or finicky tires, but really everyone should know how to take care of tires and when to replace them.

It's summer. and many of us are on the road, and the nice folks at Goodwrench offer these tire tips:

- According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA,) 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries occur every year due to tire-related problems. - Keeping your family vehicle’s tires inflated to the recommended pounds per square inch (psi) will not only save on gas, but will provide a safer ride. - It’s important to keep in mind that during the warm weather of summer, hot road surfaces can cause the pressure to increase in a tire. As a general rule, for every 10-degree rise in temperature, a tire’s pressure increases one psi. - Invest in a quality tire gauge! Eyeballing tires to measure pressure can be misleading, as radial tires often look fine even if they are under-inflated.

Drive safely!

No payment or compensation was received for this post.

The holidays are upon us, and it's time to start shopping. It's hard to think of new and interesting gift ideas, sometimes, and it can also be hard to shop for people who already have what they need *cough* my father *cough*.

I like to give car detailing gift certificates for Christmas. When you think about it, you spend a great deal of time in your car all year long, so a car-related gift could really come in handy.

I have a new driver in the family, so she spends a lot of time fussing with her car. She comes by it honestly, because I can spend lots of time browsing the auto accessories aisle in most any store, and once upon a time, I had the chance to wash my car more than once a year.

She also likes to keep her car really clean. As a matter of fact, she has declared that her car will "never be as dirty" as mine. Um, hello? Who do you think dirtied up mine?

Anyway, Pep Boys carries a lot of stuff to keep anyone's car clean.

I got to try out some great car care products from Surf City Garage.

I got a new (to me) car recently, and it's been a while since I've had a leather interior. I love it, and even though it's used, I try (I have 3 kids) to keep it looking nice, and the Voodoo Blend Leather Rejuvenator really did a great job, and it was easy to use.

Dash Away Interior Spray is great for the rest of the car for quick clean ups. I like it because it doesn't leave a film, and surfaces stay looking clean until the kids mess it up.

I love how new tires look (it's been a while since I've had some!), but they don't stay that way for long. I'd never used a product like this before, but Beyond Black Tire Pro makes tires look new and shiny, and it seriously does perk up the look of the entire care.

Why not give these products and more as a holiday gift? Many of us spend so much time in the car, it feels great when it looks nice.

The Surf City Garage Toolbox ($89.99) is available at Pep Boys and it would make a great holiday gift:

The Toolbox includes Dash Away Interior Detailer (24oz spray), Voodoo Blend Leather Rejuvenator (16oz), Pacific Blue Wash & Wax (16oz), Barrier Reef Carnauba Wax (16oz), Beyond Black Tire Pro (16 oz), Beyond Steel Wheel Cleaner(24 oz), Speed Demon Wax Detailer (24oz spray), Clearly Better Glass Cleaner (24oz spray), and 2 Nano-Detail Polishing Cloths.

Automotive items from Pep Boys just may fit your holiday shopping bill for service, tires, parts and accessories. Pep Boys Gift Cards would make a great gift for lots of people on your list.

Be sure to check out Pep Boys on Twitter and on Facebook.

Find a Pep Boys near you.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Pep Boys. But, as always, all opinions are 100% mine, and I really do like to give automotive products for gifts.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of NAVTEQ. All opinions are 100% mine.

In-dash navigation units can be found in cars all over the country. They're really handy and can save countless hours of driving time if you're going someplace unfamiliar, or if there's a traffic jam ahead. I love our navigation system, it's been invaluable as I've driven all over the country for my daughter's volleyball games.

But, in order for these navigation systems to work, the maps have to be updated. Construction changes roads and landmarks every day, and an outdated map can't help you get where you're going!

NAVTEQ is a leading provider of maps, traffic and location data, and a map update  by NAVTEQ would make a perfect present for the traveler in your life, a new driver or even for yourself. An in-dash navigation system can help you navigate an unfamiliar part of town, lead you to landmarks, restaurants or your hotel on the road.

It's always useful, it doesn't take up space, and it's never the wrong size. How many other gifts are that awesome?

What are you waiting for? Go find out more or order a NAVTEQ  map update for that someone who has everything.