Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Schedule

*All Practices Begin at 2:55PM unless noted otherwise*

Courtesy of Steelers.com

Link: http://bit.ly/1kaNifp

Hack: Simple Tools to Improve Your Camping Trip

We wanted to give you a few easy tips and tricks on how to make your next camping adventure a bit more comfortable! Follow the link at the bottom of the blog to see more details on these great ideas.

1. Pencil Sharpener for Kindling:

Traditionally, most campers have a pocket or utility knife with them to shave off some kindling to make a fire. But, you may have lost or forgotten your life during your travels doing other activities with it.
Bring a pencil sharpener with you to create some simple kindling for your fire. You’re less likely to lose it since you’re probably not going to be using it else where.


2. Ice Shower To Go:

Made infamous from comment threads online, the ice shower involves using common household items to make a chunk of ice with half soap water and half clean water. One side to clean, one side to rinse. 
Follow these detailed ice shower instructions and throw your ice shower in your cooler to keep on hand for your next trip.


3. Foam Tile Flooring:

If you’ve got little ones at home or know someone with kids, chances are you’ll be able to access foam tile squares quite easily. Bring some along to create a more comfortable flooring for your tent.
Alternatively, you can bring a yoga mat or two to achieve the same effect.

Courtesy of route66rv.com

Link: http://bit.ly/1jama8o

Maintenance Questions You're Afraid to Ask

We've all been there-- you have a question about something basic...but you don't ask it.  Chances are, someone else has been where you are and had the same confusion!  Here are some frequently asked questions (with answers!) about maintaining your car.

How often do I need to change the oil in my vehicle?

There are many variables that determine how often an oil change is needed (climate, drive time, highway or city street driving, etc.) You should refer to the Scheduled Maintenance section in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Should I consider using synthetic motor oil in my vehicle?

Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.

How often should I rotate my tires?

Your tires should be rotated every other oil change. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.

Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?

YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.

Have more questions?  Give us a call!  We'd love to talk to you.

Camry: Meaning Behind the Name

The Toyota Camry is one of the most popular cars on the road today--and the 2015 model is turning heads wherever it pops up.  So, we wanted to know: would a Toyota by any other name still drive as sweet?

Turns out the name is pretty special!   “Camry” is actually an Anglicized transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri, which means “crown.”  In that case--ready to feel like a king?  Swing by and test drive a Camry at Toyota of Washington today! You’ll get behind the wheel knowing you’re the royalty of the road.

How to Clean Your Car the Right Way

Proper Washing

1. Wash the wheels and tires first. If you splash wheel cleaners or dirt onto your vehicle, you can simply wash it off as you wash your vehicle. Use a cleaner that is safe for all wheels, like Wolfgang Tire & Wheel Cleaner. It is water-based and has no corrosive chemicals, which is safer for coated wheels and rubber. Agitate with a wheel brush to clean wheels without scratching. Wash each wheel and tire one at a time and rinse thoroughly before moving on to the next one. NOW EMPTY AND RINSE ALL CLEANING MATERIALS including your Pinnacle Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Sponge and your wash bucket.

2. Now you’re ready to wash. Let’s start with clean water and a freshly rinsed container and our Micro-chenille Wash Mitt. It’s important to use a car wash that is rich in lubricants. The purpose of the car wash is to remove contaminants and lubricate them so they do not scratch the paint as they slide off the vehicle. Dish detergents are not ideal because they remove protective coatings. P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo, DP Auto Wash and Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo are all fantastic choices. They do not remove wax and provide ample lubrication of gritty particles.

3. How do you prevent swirl marks? Use two buckets. Fill one bucket with soapy water and fill the other with clean water. Each time you’re ready to reload your sponge with soapy water, dip it in the clean water first, to rinse out the grit and contamination you’ve just removed from your vehicle. Then dip it in the soapy water and continue washing.

An even better option is the Grit Guard. This plastic grid sits in the bottom of a 5-gallon wash bucket and stabilizes the water. Contamination and particles settle to the bottom of the bucket and the clean wash water remains at the top.


4. Always rinse your vehicle thoroughly before you begin washing in order to remove loose debris. Then begin washing at the top of the vehicle. Wash down the vehicle as opposed to front to back. Remember that the lower panels are dirtiest. You want to clean the windows and the upper panels before cleaning the lower half of the vehicle so that you don’t transfer grit to the top half of the vehicle. Rinse and reload your Sponge often to prevent cross-contamination. Rinse your vehicle frequently as you work, especially in hot weather.

For stubborn spots, like bugs or tar, use the Pinnacle Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Sponge to gently remove sticky contaminants without scratching. To soften the sponge, soak it in warm water for 3 minutes. Always use it with soapy water to lubricate the sponge. If you choose to use a spot cleaner, spray it on before washing and reapplywax to the treated area after you’ve dried the vehicle.

5. When rinsing, you don’t have to blast your car clean with the water hose. Free-flowing water (no nozzle) will allow the water to sheet off of your vehicle for a more thorough rinsing.

To see how to dry with the proper technique, follow the link below! 

Courtesy of Autogeek.net

Link: http://bit.ly/1joMsIJ

5 of the Best Roadside Attractions to Visit!

We wanted to provide a quick list of roadside attractions around the U.S.A. On your next road trip take a look at some of these wonders if you are passing by!

1.  Ave Maria Grotto | Cullman, Alabama

The Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Ala., devoted some 50 years to the project. "To pass the time, I started hobbies," he once said. After he made 5,000 small grottoes, which were sold to support the abbey's work, Zoettl began work on his magnum opus, the Ave Maria Grotto. Today, spread out across three acres of the abbey's forested grounds, stand tiny replicas of St. Peter's Basilica, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the grotto of St. Theresa, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, an Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine, the Great Wall of China and miniature versions of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Rome, among others. He even crafted a mini St. Bernard's Abbey, complete with the abbey's power station where he once worked shoveling coal.


2. Carhenge | Alliance, Nebraska
  













On a 10-acre plot in Alliance, Neb., stands Carhenge — a monument that looks like the artistic offspring of Stonehenge and Cadillac Ranch. Envisioned by artist Jim Reinders in 1987, Carhenge is an arrangement of 38 autos, painted slate gray and placed in a formation mimicking England's medieval wonder.


3. Desert of Maine | Freeport, Maine

When you think of Maine, you think of fresh seafood, idyllic sunsets and endless blue water. So a desert is probably the farthest thing from your mind. But if you're around the Freeport area, this natural wonder is a must-see. Bad farming after 1797 led to soil erosion and the creation of natural desert-like conditions. Surrounded by green hills, this unlikely wonder covers nearly 50 acres and can be explored with 30-minute coach tours or on foot.


4. Lucy the Elephant | Margate City, New Jersey














Victorian speculator James V. Lafferty, who hit upon the idea of driving up interest in beachfront property he owned by constructing 'Lucy,' a building shaped like an elephant. Though 'zoomorphic architecture' failed to take off, Lucy became a popular tourist attraction, her belly serving variously as a restaurant, summer home and speakeasy. Though she fell into disrepair in the 1960s, Lucy was soon saved from the wrecking ball, moved onto public land and designated a National Historic Landmark.



5. The Blue Whale | Catoosa, Oklahoma














Drive along Route 66 through a pair of side-by-side bridges and you're bound to come across an even more bizarre sight: a famous beached whale. Built in the 1970s as an anniversary gift from one man to his wife, Oklahoma's grinning Blue Whale is 80 feet long, and rests in a pond that has since become a favorite watering hole for locals and passing travelers.


If you have a suggestion or a favorite roadside attraction, tell us and post a picture to our Facebook page!

Courtesy of Time.com

Link: http://ti.me/1gSfeMw