Chain Up!

In this snow-pocalypse of a winter, you may be wondering exactly how to stay smart and safe out on the roads. (Sugar and I usually choose to abstain from sliding around on the ice unless we absolutely HAVE TO.)  

Of course, snow tires are always a good idea... but what if you're planning on venturing into the mountains for a little cold weather fun?  Have you considered tire chains but thought they were over-kill?  

If you're braver than I am and planning on heavy winter driving, our friends at the Department of Motor Vehicles have a few suggestions for you for chaining up this season:   

1.   The same way it is a good idea to test the braking and steering on a snowy or slippery road, you should test putting on the tire chains before you reach the mountain roads where they may be required.

2. Pick an open stretch of street, or a vacant parking lot. Take the chains out of their packaging or case, and untangle all of the links so they are hanging free in a web shape. Place the two separated chains by the tires to which you will apply them. For a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the chains should go on the front tires. For rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the chains should be applied to the rear wheels. Some trucks and extreme conditions may call for tire chains on all wheels, which is fine, but make sure you put the chains on the right tires when you only have two.

3. With the car parked, parking brake engaged, and car in gear, place the chain onto the tire, holding it from the top and ensuring that it is evenly placed over the wheel. Obviously, the bottom part of the chain cannot cover that portion of tire that is touching the road. Just fit the rest of the chain onto the wheel as best you can.

It should be noted that some chains have rings that go on the inside of the wheel, and help guide the chains into place. For these ring-type chains, be sure the open connection is on the bottom of the wheel. Once you place the chains on and the ring is going around the inside of the wheel, you can connect the bottom of the ring. This usually requires you to get right down under the car by the tire. You may need to change position to get the best angle on the connection.

4. Once the chain is evenly and securely on the three-quarters of the wheel that is not touching the road, repeat the process on the other side. When both chains are on, check to make sure the front of the car is clear, and drive forward a few feet. You only need to drive far enough to expose the rest of the wheels that were previously touching the ground. Put the car in gear or in park, engage the parking brake, and get out of the vehicle again. Now you can secure the chains squarely on the remaining wheel surfaces.

5. Next, tighten the chains by using a closer link on the chains. Now you are ready to drive, but only for a little bit. After you have driven 50 to 100 feet, you must get out and re-tighten the chains, which will likely have some slack from evening out across the tires.

Don't be alarmed by the bumpy ride. After all, you are driving with chains on your tires. For your practice run with the tire chains, you will likely be on a dry road, so limit the driving, but this is a good chance to get to know how they feel and how the car rides with the chains on.

Of course, we won't leave you stuck with chains on all the time, so let's review how to remove them: 

Taking the chains off is much easier, once you have disconnected the inside rings or chains. This once again requires you to get right down to the lower inside of the wheel. (You may want to invest in some snow pants for all this snowy work!) However, once the inside ring or chain is disconnected, you can't simply pull the chains off! The chains will not disconnect on the bottom, where the tire is resting on the ground.

Simply lay the chains to the side of the tires as flat as possible, making sure that they are not still around the wheel or axle of the vehicle. Then you will drive forward a few feet, enough to get the car's tires clear from the chains. When putting the chains back in a bag or packaging, try to make sure they are not tangled together, and make sure they are dry.

You're ready to tackle the snow! And whether you chain up or stay in town, remember to drive safely this season! 

Don't Mind Us...

...we're just winning more awards!

The Honda CR-V has won Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year for 2015.

The CR-V claims the title with a long list of vehicle enhancements for 2015, including its improved fuel economy and uncompromising driving dynamics, thanks to the inclusion of Honda's Earth Dreams Technology™ power train, the launch of an all-new Touring trim, the debut of Honda Sensing™ safety and driver assistive technologies, and the CR-V's excellent value for money paradigm.

Motor Trend editor-in-chief Ed Loh, said, "The 2015 Honda CR-V impressed our judges with its extensive list of delightful design and thoughtful engineering improvements. Our editors were especially impressed by Honda's responsive and efficient continuously-variable transmission and sophisticated safety systems – particularly the smart and seamlessly integrated Lane Keeping Assist system. Efficient, practical, and a joy to drive; the 2015 Honda CR-V does virtually everything well."

"It is an honor to receive such a prestigious award from the expert staff at Motor Trend," said Jeff Conrad, SVP & General Manager of Honda Division, American Honda Motor Co, Inc. "Our engineers, planners, and dealers work hard to deliver class leading products to our customers, and it's extremely rewarding to be recognized for that hard work. This award from Motor Trend reaffirms for us that we're meeting that goal."

Priced from $23,320, the CR-V is offered with:

• Honda Earth Dreams Technology™ 
• 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine
• CVT (continuously variable transmission)
• either front- or all-wheel drive
• EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway/ 29 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models, and 26/33/28-mpg for all-wheel drive (best-in-class fuel economy!)

The 2015 CR-V is expected to receive a Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and its official safety ratings will be released later this year. The 2015 CR-V is manufactured exclusively for the North American market at Honda plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico using domestic and globally sourced parts.

The recognition from Motor Trend validates the sales success of the Honda CR-V, which sold more than 300,000 units last year, and is on track to do the same in 2014. CR-V's strong sales performance has been a consistent triumph for the Honda brand since the vehicle's introduction, leading CR-V to become the best-selling SUV in the industry over the past decade.

Okay, now that we're done apple-polishing, go take your own test drive of the CR-V at Ken Garff Honda of Orem.  We'll even let you start with a virtual test drive here.

Test Driving the 2015 Honda Accord Sport | Matt Rutherford

Christmas came early for me this year. Well, not really, but earlier this month, I did feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Despite what you might expect, this was a bitter-sweet experience. Let me explain what happened.

I have been driving an older car. When I say old, I definitely don't mean vintage. That usually means something worth keeping. No, this is an old, beat up, 98 Toyota. Don't get me wrong. It's been a great car and has been reliable for several years. However, it is getting a little long in the tooth and, well, it would be nice to drive something newer. Alas, I can't afford a newer vehicle right now. We just bought a new family vehicle. I need to hold on to my commuter car for a while longer.

Well, a few months ago, my wife won a contest. I didn't even know she had entered the competition, so her winning was a pleasant surprise. She won a week long test drive from Ken Garff Honda, in Orem. Well, knowing our family van was getting old, we figured we would test drive a new Honda Odyssey, giving our family something nice to ride for a few days.

Unfortunately, our old family van died and had to be abandoned in Wyoming (long story). We purchased a new van before my wife even had a chance to test drive anything from Ken Garff. So, when it was her turn, my wife gave her week long test drive to me.

I felt pretty lucky, getting the prize to a contest I initially didn't even know existed. We contacted the dealership and made arrangements for me to pick up the vehicle of my choice. Being a Honda fan who was sad to give up his last Accord a few years ago, I chose an Accord for my test drive. We went to pick it up, signed an insurance document, and away we went. The staff at Ken Garff were friendly and helpful and the entire process was pretty painless.

But you want to hear more about the car itself, right? That's why you are here. All I can say is, "Wow." I was blown away. The car I got was a brand new, 2015 Honda Accord Sport, fully loaded. The vehicle only had 21 miles on it when I sat in the driver's seat. I don't think I've ever driven such a new car before. 

So, let me just say that there are many things to like about the Accord, but I can't speak much of what goes under the hood. Sadly, auto mechanics are not my strong point. I am a therapist, not a car person, so when I review a car, I can speak of the mechanics in only general terms. My main focus in this review will be the user interface.

First off, I loved having the Bluetooth connectivity. I could play music and take phone calls through the car's interface, and it was a breeze to set up. There is a nice, large (yet unobtrusive) display in the center of the dash that showed me the song playing and who was calling. I could also see how many bars my phone had and even see how low my phone battery was. Nice.

Of course, that display was also where the backup camera displayed what might be behind me, including indicators to let me know my anticipated path, based on the turn of steering wheel. It also was the main display for just about every electronic setting the car had. It was intuitive to use and I am serious when I say that the display was unobtrusive, though. I didn't feel like it was distracting me from the road. On the contrary, having my music, phone calls and so forth in one place made it easier to focus on what I needed to focus on, driving. And though there is not much to say about it, I liked having the thumb controls for volume, cruise control, phone calls, and changing the display, right on the steering wheel.

Other nice features of the user interface: lots of storage up front, USB plug for electronic devices, easy to adjust the seats. There are a couple of other features to mention, both having to do with fuel economy. First, the "Econ" or energy saver mode button. As I had it explained to me, the button takes away some of the energy used by the car, specifically with the AC and the engine. I did not notice much of a difference, but apparently, this little button can make a big difference in energy consumption.

The second thing about the interface that needs mentioning is related. There is a little indicator, near the speedometer. This is just a bar that goes left to right. The farther to the right it is, the better your gas mileage. When you are speeding up, the bar goes to the left, and you know that your gas mileage is dropping. Wow. That small indicator changed how I drove. It was very rewarding to keep the  mileage as high as possible, with smooth, rather than abrupt acceleration and coasting when possible. In other words, I was trained to drive more economically.

"But how did it drive?" I hear you asking. Well, I was certainly spoiled for a week. Turns were smooth, even on roundabouts. The suspension is tight, to where I barely felt bumps in the road. The car had a lot of power and accelerated without hesitation. Oh, it was nice. I did need to check myself, because it would have been easy to speed in that thing. I didn't, but boy, was it tempting.

I drove it to and from work. Most of the time, my driving was on city roads, which afforded little opportunity to go very fast. I also got some construction zone driving in there, making a bumpy road pretty smooth. But one day a week, I drive up to the Salt Lake area, so I got to try some freeway speeds. Boy, did this car deliver. It did not hesitate to get up to *cough* the speed limit and I felt very safe the entire way to work and back.

Ok, some final words. I drove this beautiful piece of machinery for 149 miles and had a good experience. I actually was a little offended that the starlings (dang birds) that harass my wife's and my cars ended up pooping on this Accord. 

But that did not ruin my overall experience (of course, not!). Neither did the shiny plastic facing on the passenger side, above the glove compartment. In bright sunlight, this would shine in my eyes. I know, a minor quibble, but honestly, that was about all I could find to complain about.

All in all, it was a bittersweet week, because I knew I would be returning the car at the end of the week. And during the week, I had to endure several admiring looks from strangers, and explain to coworkers that I just had the car on loan. Such sacrifices. And yes, the return to my old clunker was difficult, as well, but all of it was worth the sacrifice.

Honda Pilot is 'Ready to Rock at Costco'

http://automobiles.honda.com/pilot/exterior-photos.aspxaption

A hundred years ago, before my Honda conversion, I drove a Chevy Corsica. Who can believe it? I'm pretty sure I just picked Rosie because she was cost-effective and red. (Two very important car-buying criteria!) Nevertheless, Rosie introduced me, the hard way admittedly, to my first Honda Pilot. We were playing dirty game of "broadside" in the middle of an intersection, but I distinctly remember that once I got over the initial shock of it all--I imprinted that Pilot on my memory for good. Now, this was all back somewhere around 2003, and the Pilot has come a long way since then, but I still remember thinking I wouldn't mind having a ride like that.

Fast-forward to today. Chevrolet doesn't even make a Corsica anymore, but Honda's still cranking out the ever-popular Pilot. Why? Well, for now let's chalk it up to superior craftsmanship and the old Honda staying power.

The 2015 Pilot, in fact, is still a little bit of bedrock in its field. According to Kelly Blue Book, "Its tidy exterior proportions make it easy to maneuver through cramped parking lots and rush-hour traffic, yet with seating for up to eight passengers, it can hold as many people as most full-size SUVs. Add in Honda's reputation for reliability and strong resale, and the Pilot begins to look like a sure bet." And while it's not the sportiest ride on the road, according to Edmunds, "...the Pilot still has several solid basic qualities that should serve a family well.

The main one is space. There's plenty of room on the inside, and even the third-row seats can accommodate adults, making this large crossover a true eight-passenger vehicle. There's also an upside to the Pilot's boxy shape: It allows for a more usefully shaped cargo bay for bulky items and ultimately makes life more convenient. Just drop those rear seats and you're ready to rock at Costco."

While I cringe a little at the word boxy, the Pilot knows what it is: A safe, solid, family-friendly ride. I mean, really, you had me at, "ready to rock at Costco..." Sigh.   So whenever you're ready to move up from a sedan, and need a little extra space for soccer balls and snacks for the kids... but you're not ready for mom jeans and a perm just yet... head on over to Ken Garff Honda of Orem their inventory. They've got Pilots and staff ready to impress.
   

High Time for Hybrid

I left Sugar (my faithful '03 Honda Accord) at home this summer and took a road trip with a friend to Southern Utah.  Sugar and I had made all the big trips over the last few years, and I thought it was someone else's turn to drive.  My friend had just traded his 1997 Honda Accord for a 2003 Nissan Maxima (traitor!!), and I was eager to try it out.

Admittedly, it was cushy: The leather seats.  The miles of leg room. Very. Cushy.

But you know what else it was?  A big ol', irresponsible gas hog.

On every other trip we'd taken south, we'd gas up my girl Sugar once on the way out of town and once on the way home. Splitting gas costs was a breeze.

On the other hand, Big Bertha (as I lovingly named her) drank like a fish.  Every time we stopped for gas, my friend would mutter a few choice words and begrudgingly fill the tank.  In fact, every 50 miles or so, he'd say, "Will you look at that? My Honda had so much better gas mileage! Stupid !*@$%#."  It was a very colorful drive.  (I think he might be having a little buyer's remorse.)

For as long as I we've been friends, the only trade he'd ever talked about was a hybrid.  So when he finally sold his trusty Accord,  the purchase of Big Bertha was a bit of a shock. In fact, when I asked about it, he got cranky... so I'm guessing he considered a hybrid before making a different purchase.

The Maxima he's driving now ballparks at about 21-28 mpg, depending on whether it's in town or on the open road.  The Honda Accord Hybrid runs at a very attractive 45-50 mpg.  And the new Honda Hybrids are plenty deluxe.

So let's take a quick look at just three of the Hybrid Accord's fantastic features:

1. Honda LaneWatch: LaneWatch is an ingenious safety feature that comes standard on all Hybrid Accords.  It's a tiny camera, mounted on the passenger-side mirror that automatically activates when you signal right.  Its live video feed gives you four times more viewing power than using the mirror alone.
2. Earth Dreams Technology Engine: According to Honda, the 2.0-liter, 16-valve, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and the electric motor are fed by a lithium-ion battery pack.  They're all channeled through an electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) for a combination of efficiency and performance like never before.  Roughly translated:  The new Hybrid Accord drives more like the Accord you already know and love than ever before!
3. HondaLink:  If you're like me, your car is more than just a driving machine.  It's your home-away-from-home and you need to be connected.  HondaLink is an application-based platform that connects you to your music, podcasts, and vehicle services, news and more!  This is serious (and safe!) connectivity. 

Are you hooked yet?  If you need to explore the Hybrid a little more, click HERE for the full tour.  And when you're ready, pop on over to Ken Garff Honda of Orem to take a little test drive. Any of our friendly staff will help you choose the right car for you.    

Good Things Happen On a Honda

Even in 1974, Honda was using only the very best talent.  Isn't Mr. Grease Lighting himself fantastic?

Rhonda Still Going Strong | Blogger Contest Runner Up

Meet Rhonda, my Honda. Rhonda and I have been together for 17 years now. I got her when she was brand new, and she has kept me going on all of my adventures ever since. It's hard to believe it's been as long as it has, and as you can imagine, a lot of wonderful things can happen in such a long time span!

Oh the fun that I have had with this car! A simple drive up the canyon to enjoy the beauty Utah has to offer, or a larger adventure to Las Vegas or California! It really doesn't matter where I take Rhonda, she is always reliable. And of course, she is always there to take me on my daily adventures to the grocery store and other errands too. I never have to worry when I drive my Honda. I know that no matter what kind of weather it is outside, my car will always start.

Another great thing about Rhonda? She came with an amazing sound system! Really! I used to be able to impress all the guys with my sound system back in the day. It still sounds great when I crank up the tunes. It came standard too! 

After trading in my single life for that of a wife, my Honda did double duty as a little "truck", helping me move house into that first married apartment. And later, helping both of us move into our very first house. Rhonda became "our Honda", not my Honda. To this day she is my little truck for all of our crazy DIY adventures making this house our home.

What can I say? Hondas are the best cars in the world. Aside from a few minor fix ups like getting new tires and brake pads, and changing the oil, our Honda has run like a dream. And at 17 years old that is saying a lot! I have a feeling this car might out live me!

Honestly I am quite attached to my current Honda. A lot of memories are made in 17 years. It will be hard to part with Rhonda when she finally has to go to the big car lot in the sky. Luckily I know that if I am lucky enough to be able to, I will be replacing her with another Honda when that time comes.

 Aimee Gertsch is a wife, animal lover, and DIY junkie. She blogs at http://4theloveofanimals.com, dhttp://thestylishnest.com, and for Salt Lake Comic Con. Twitter and Instagram: @aimeeroo

Favorite Hondas | Blogger Contest Runner Up

I've owned two Honda's in my life.  My first car was a 1980 hatchback Accord.  That car kept going forever. I fell in love with the distinctive purr of the Honda engine.  Sadly, I totaled that car and replaced it with a Ford. WORST mistake EVER.  The Ford was awful and broke down when it was only four years old!  The engine exploded and the repairs on the engine were costly. I felt betrayed. By this point, I was married, so my husband and I drove to the dealership and told them we ONLY wanted a Honda.  They totally delivered. We bought a sweet 1992 teal Accord with a sunroof and a car phone!  That was a plus at the time, for sure! This car took us everywhere, and did all that we asked of her. We had the Accord for six years and would have kept it for the life of the vehicle, if we could have. We only got rid of it because it was totaled when someone hit the car.

My fondest wish is to own another Honda!  Let me tell you what I love about these cars.  I love the room. Our current car is a little cramped with four kids.  I also love the storage space.  I have car envy with ALL of my friends who have room for their kids AND their stuff on long road trips.  I LOVE how long they last!  Did you know that the Odyssey is the only minivan that is proven to last 20 years!?  You probably did.  I love the two sliding doors with those sweet automatic doohickeys that open the doors from a remote!  My kids will love that.  I'd love to dispense with the DAILY fights of WHO is shutting the door.

The memories that come to mind when I think of our teal Accord aren't memories like the exploding engine from my Ford Escort, but the fact that we could take it ANYWHERE.  That Accord went to beaches in California, the hot desert in Arizona to the mountains in Utah.  I remember bringing home my first two children home from the hospital in this car.  Once, when we were driving in Arizona, on the lonely highway between Kingston and Phoenix, my one year old son choked on a piece of ice.  This was the kind of ice that had been frozen in a circle and the middle was hollow.  My son was chocking and gagging, but getting just enough air through that center hole. It sounded a bit like he was breathing through a straw.  We quickly pulled over to the shoulder in  HOT Arizona sun and I practically threw water in his face.  The end goal was his mouth, to melt that ice that was causing my son such panic.  In the end, my son was wet (crying about being wet), the car seat was soaked, but he was breathing and the car was just fine.  It just kept purring until we reached Tucson!

Kari Rutherford is a 37-year-old part-time stay-at-home mom, part-time blogger and part-time secretary.  She spends most of her days chasing around her four kids and trying to catch up on everything she has to do.  She rarely succeeds. Among other places, you can find her on the blog, MomPlusKids.com

Sly, the Not-So-Italian-Stallion (aka, the Honda Civic)

Sugar was having some struggles, so I needed to borrow a car for a couple of days.  I had never driven a Civic before, so I was a little skeptical. Compared to my Accord, I thought it would feel small and under-powered (clearly, I need to get out more!).  Because of the design of the interior, I actually felt extremely roomy.  And under-powered? That couldn't have been a bigger misconception! Sly was a car ready for drag-race (not that I would ever do that... or encourage others to... but if I had been challenged by a heady teenager, I could have dusted just about anyone!).  


Have you seen the specs on this baby?  According to Motortrend, "The 2014 Civic is now available with a CVT that replaces the five-speed automatic. Matched to the same 1.8-liter I-4 that pumps out 3 more hp and 1 extra lb-ft of torque thanks to a new exhaust system, the gearbox is so smooth that people have to ask whether it's a CVT."  

Yep.  Honestly, Sly handled so beautifully and had so much get-up-and-go, I found myself looking for cops when I realized how fast I was going without even breaking a proverbial sweat.  

Now, don't judge me, but I also like a car with some swanky (but affordable) amenities, and the Honda Civic didn't disappoint in that department either.  Sly came with a 5-inch LCD screen and customizable feature settings, rear-view camera with guidelines, Bluetooth hands-free link, SMS text message function, and the list goes on.  

Frankly, my slightly aging car felt a little low-tech after my weekend fling with Sly and I had the strangest urge to trade it in on the spot.  And considering the prices Ken Garff Honda of Orem is offering the Civic for, it wouldn't have made much of a dent in my wallet.  Another test drive might be in my near future, and if you haven't looked at a new Civic lately, it should be in yours too!    

Honda Stages | Blogger Contest Runner Up

By, Lee Gientke

Looking back over the years, there has been a Honda at every major stage in my life. You might say the Hondas I’ve owned were rites of passage.

The very first car I bought for myself was a 2000 charcoal gray Honda Civic. I bought this car in 2003 as the second owner shortly after I graduated from college, where I didn’t have a car. Buying this car was a marker of adulthood for me. I found the car in the newspaper listed for $5500 – a huge sum of money for me at the time. I can remember thinking how much I loved the styling and how quick the car felt even though it had a whopping 127 horsepower. I was also attracted to the things most people love about Honda’s: the reliability and fuel economy. As a recent college graduate I didn’t have much money to dump into a car so my maintenance regimen consisted of changing the oil and filling the gas tank. Fortunately, my Civic didn’t require much more than that.

My Civic lasted until 2006 when I got what I would call my first real serious job for a startup in Los Angeles. If you’ve ever lived in Southern California, you know that your car is a marker of who you are. While my Civic was great, it was time to upgrade the wheels. Here I was, finally making good money, living the single life in Los Angeles and while my Civic was awesome, it was time to get something more fun. The more fun car for me was a 2002 Honda S2000.

With a drop top, 240 horsepower and a redline of 8900 RPM, my S2000 was a blast. I loved dropping the top and driving along the California coast or later, up Provo Canyon on a spring morning. I loved how it felt like driving a go-cart and how it was quick around the corners. It was also amazing how smooth and stable it was going 80 miles an hour (or more!) as it was going 20. It was a really confidence inspiring and it just wanted to go fast. It was also the car I received my first speeding ticket in and it was the car that moved me from Los Angeles to Utah.

Unfortunately, getting married a couple months ago meant that my s2000 had to go, I know that there’s another Honda in my future. I would love to say my next Honda would be another screamer like a Civic Si or a S2000 (if Honda brought it back) but my wife is thinking more along the lines of a Pilot or Odyssey so we can transport more than just us. 

My Honda Love Story | Blogger Contest 2nd Runner Up

My Honda Love Story begins in 1995. I was only 8 at the time but I remember as my parents were visiting different car dealerships, I had fallen in love with this beautiful new green Honda Civic. It was so much better than our 10-year old other car (not a Honda) and it smelled like heaven. My father worked with the car salesman until he got a great price for the car and we took it home.

Not the original car, but my neighbor happens to own one just like by old one except in blue! 

I remember going out to the garage and just admiring it. I've never been a lover of cars, but this thing was beautiful! And my mother even mentioned that I may get to drive it when I turned 16 which, to an 8-year old, was one of the most amazing things she could have ever told me!

As silly as it may sound, I grew up with this car. It took me to piano lessons, swim lessons, softball practices, and tennis practices. The Civic took me to school and picked me up from school. It took me to museums and the zoo. I even spent many hours sprawled out on its back seat on long car rides for vacations (back in the day, apparently it wasn't as big of a deal to have an 8-year old child laying down on the backseat ... or maybe it was and I was totally breaking the law). The comfortable backseat and door kept me propped up for rides to Grandma's house and gave me a nice seat to immerse myself in books or a nap.

Finally, I turned 15 and a half and my parents decided that I should learn to drive on the Honda Civic. I was so excited to drive this car that I had grown so close to for the past 7 years. And over the next few months, I cried a lot in that car. It was a stick shift so not only did I need to know how to drive, watch everything around me, and not hit anything, I also had to remember when to shift gears. There really had been nothing tougher in my life than learning how to not stall the car every time I started moving and how to not roll back a few yards after being stopped on hills.

This little Honda Civic gave me my freedom (after I learned to drive it, of course). I passed my driver's test with flying colors and there was no looking back from there. My friends and I had some fun adventures in that car and it even took me on one of my first dates as a teenager. When I think of my childhood, I think of this car because it was there for all of my big moments up until I was 18. It heard me laugh, cry, yell, and even sing at the top of my lungs. There really was not a better car than my beautiful, enduring, and reliable Honda Civic.

Again, not the original Civic I fell in love with, but exactly like it except in blue! 

Kim Corrigan grew up in Sandy, moved to Utah Valley for college, and has remained there ever since. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She and her family love to do anything but stay home. Picnics, bike rides, special events, and vacations are at the top of their "Most Favorite Things to Do" list. Kim started Utah Valley Moms and socializes on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, and Instagram.

Learning to Drive the Bitty, Bad, Honda | Blogger Contest 1st Runner Up

Photo Credit: Wikipedia.com

It was a sunny afternoon in late June. I was around 16 and scared to drive. I didn't pass my drivers exam in high school and put off trying again for years. But my determined older brother took me to a local grocery store and decided he was going to teach me to drive whether I liked it or not. At the time he drove an old Honda Civic with over 130,000 miles and a stick shift (eeek!). I was beyond terrified to drive it to say the least.

After buying a few items we headed back out to the car of all cars. Instead of hopping into the driver seat, my brother got into the passenger seat. And looked at me expectantly. I almost immediately broke into tears. I was so scared to get into that Honda and test my skills (or lack thereof). After what felt like a billion years I was coerced into the driver seat. I can still remember the smell of the leather steering wheel as I gripped it with deathlike force.

I took a deep breath, put one foot on the brake and one foot on the clutch while easing that bitty, bad Honda Civic into first gear. I eased my foot off the clutch as I pushed down on the gas and I was off! I stopped for a red light and all bets were off. As the light turned green I slowly moved into the intersection. The Honda stalled. I'm pretty sure I said a few choice words, restarted the trusty Honda and put both feet on the correct pedals. Cars honked and went around me, and a few people even swore at me as they passed by.

I put the Civic in first gear again, and eased my foot off the clutch. And stalled the car again! Then the green light turned yellow and then back to red. All the while I was in the middle of the intersection listening to my brother tell me what to do and trying my hardest not to completely lose it. I slowly lurched a few feet forward during the next two lights. That's right; I was in the middle of the intersection for three entire lights!

Finally, I was able to squeak out of the intersection and go to the side of the road. After I caught my breath, I got out of the car and quickly switched places with my brother. I was DONE driving for the day. Mostly I was just thankful that I wasn't dead and that my brothers sacred Honda Civic was still intact.

The next time I got behind the wheel of that car was a much better memory. I had no issues at all. For whatever reason, the horror of that first lurching drive had given me the battle scars I needed to be able to handle a stick shift for life. And it was all because of a bitty, bad Honda Civic.

*****

Hi! I'm Jacki and I blog at www.mamasonadime.com. I am a mom to three little munchkins and love being involved in my community. I also love all things frugal, but I'm not willing to sacrifice quality in the process. Which means I'm all about getting more for less!

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Off-Roading with Sugar

Sugar and I packed up and went on a little camping trip with some friends over Memorial Day weekend. Under normal circumstances, neither Sugar nor I would head off into the wilderness to get a dirt under our nails, but sometimes you just need a good adventure.

As far as I knew, we were going to a nice little town a couple of hours away for what promised to be practically-backyard-camping.

I was a little misled.

By the way, the trunk on my Accord is humongous.  I don't know how I keep forgetting that...but I was pleasantly shocked at how much gear I manged to get in there: a tent, two camp chairs, cooler, sleeping bag, air mattress, the kitchen sink... you get the idea. Who needs an SUV?  (Okay, I wouldn't turn down the new Honda CRV or the feisty, new Crosstour...but I digress.)

So off we went—Sugar, the fella, and I—into the woods to get our camp on. Getting to the site wasn't that bad.  By the time we got there, we were just a little dusty and bug-spattered.  Nothing too terrible.  But the next morning we decided to drive up the canyon to take a few pictures of a lake we'd heard about.  The "end of paved road" sign gave me a mild case of heart failure, but the fella is a good driver, so we pressed on (me trying not to think of how many things could go wrong far, far from cell service).

As we bucked and banged our way past truck after 4-wheel drive truck, I was a little bit proud of how Sugar handled herself.  We got some funny looks, for sure, but we never got stuck!  The fella took his car (*cough* not-a-Honda!) into the hills the very next weekend and complained rather loudly about how much he missed Sugar!  That's right... the guy who once called my girl boring is suddenly a fan!  Still, let's just say I'm glad this month is tire month at the Ken Garff Honda of Orem dealership because we were the only 4-door sedan braving the places we went and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need an alignment.

Look Up

http://defensivedrivinghabits.blogspot.com/2012/

If you haven't heard, Utah has some new laws. One of them might be a little hard to follow, if you're an avid multi-tasker like me. However, it might also save your life.  

So let's break it down:

"To focus on the road, to focus on your driving, that's the main intent," said Sgt. Todd Royce, of the UHP, referring to the new cellphone and mobile device restrictions that go into effect May 13.

If you don't already use a hand-free system (the built in blue-tooth capability was one of my absolute favorite features of the new Honda CRV I test drove!) for your cell phone when you drive, it's time to look into that, or plan to stop using your mobile device altogether behind the wheel.  

Texting while driving is already illegal. But current Utah law does not specifically ban us from doing all kinds of other distracting things with our phones — like searching the Web, picking a song, or even dialing a phone number. Starting May 13, that's all illegal.

Utah will essentially have a handheld ban with a few exceptions. The new law bans us from using a cellphone or laptop to send texts, emails or instant messages. You cannot dial phone numbers, access the Web, take or view pictures or video, or enter data into your mobile device.

You can, however, still dial your phone with your hands during a medical emergency, reporting a safety hazard, or reporting criminal activity. On the job law enforcement and emergency personnel are also allowed to use their hands.

We are allowed to use our cellphones and other mobile devices using voice-operated technology, and other systems that are physically or electronically integrated into the car, such as Bluetooth.

We can still use our mobile devices to view GPS, and other mapping programs. We can also still talk with our phones up against our faces. But you have to use voice commands to dial the number.

"We feel it will save some lives out there on the roadway," said Royce.

Eleven people died last year on Utah roads in crashes attributed to distracted driving.

Troopers will be on the lookout for people manipulating their cellphones in any way.

"You're probably see a lot of warnings and a lot of education done," Royce said of when the law first goes into effect.

But, when troopers and other police officers start writing tickets, it's a class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $100, or a class B misdemeanor if you cause someone else to get hurt.

Even though you will still be able to use your phone with these new restrictions, Robert Hull, UDOT director of traffic and safety, says setting the phone aside while you drive is always the safest practice.

"The ultimate responsible driving behavior is 100 percent focus on your driving," Hull said.

It is not illegal to use a headset while driving in Utah, so that's an option for some drivers, as long as you're not working the phone with your hands. Of course, you can always pull over, or get off the road when it's safe, to use your phone." Source: KSL.com

The bottom line:  Put down your phone, look up, and drive safely!