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Do you use your *emergency* brake?

You should.

Your emergency brake is not just for emergencies only. You should use it any time you park on any type incline.

You know, when you pull up to the restaurant to treat your family to a great meal you have to park on an incline.

Now, you're sitting there enjoying the family-get-to-gather, when you happen to look out the window and watch your very own vehicle rolling backwards toward that Mercedes across the parking lot!

Did you set the *parking* brake? Probably not.

A large number of people still call the parking brake an emergency brake: "That's my emergency brake, an I don't want to use it...I might have an emergency."

But you should use the parking brake. That's what it's for!

If you don't use it for parking, guess what will happen some day when you do use it?

It will lock-up on you. So, what happens then? The brakes won't release and you will have to give it more fuel to get up the road (or down the road...depends on where you are going).

When the parking brake locks-up it keeps pressure on the rear brake shoes, or pad if you have rear disk brakes, and this causes your engine to work harder...plus, not only will it take more fuel to get to your in-laws, it also causes the engine to run hotter than normal.

It will cause your rear brakes to wear out sooner.

I have seen the rear drums get so hot that it caused the rear axle seal to get hot and loose its sealing power...this causes rear axle grease to seep past the seal.

So, from now on set the parking brake...keep it free, so the little cable can run to-an-fro to set and release the pressure on the rear brakes.

You'll be proud of yourself for saving time and money by not having to take it to the repair shop. :-(

Tommy Sessions has been in auto repair since 1970. He publishes Auto Repair Answers Newsletter so you can learn how to keep your vehicle looking new, running safely and efficiently, while you save money and time...also, learn how to avoid shop rip offs. Don't be at the mercy of the dealerships and auto repair shops...they will have more respect for you.
http://www.auto-repair-answers.com

Music creates atmosphere, and occasion. Use of the right music is one of the best ways to promote a happy and relaxed atmosphere, by careful expert selection of the right notes and beat. So to make your wedding reception go really well, why not use music to move the event along and help your guests enjoy themselves. The secret is to select the music very carefully and to ask you friends and relatives to help you make the choice.

While planning your wedding you may need to take advice and in many matters you will feel that you are not the best expert to do the planning. You will be right to let the experts decide on these matters and accept their decisions. Now, with music this is different, this is your wedding and you are the expert. Only you and your partner, know your family and friends well enough to choose the music, albeit usually with their help so you are the best to make the final choice.

If you dont know where to start the selection process, we suggest that you begin by thinking of music, songs or melodies which will bring back the memory of important events in your life. A chart song which was around when you first dated might have romantic memories, or you may have danced to a special tune. As you get into the thought process more and more musical favorites will come to mind. Sit and relax, listen to the music again, on your iPod , or music centre, and things will begin to fall into place.

However, before you make your final selection do be sure that the words are appropriate, listen carefully, and if necessary search the web and read up on the lyrics. Some wedding venues will also have some rules on the type of music which can be played and the volume which the music must not exceed, so be sure to read those as well and comply.

If you have decided to engage live musicians, then do be sure that the venue provides sufficient space. Also, if the party is to be serenaded during the meal, then make sure that the caterers know in advance so that an adequate space is made available for them to set down their musical instruments and set up to play.

If you like to continue to use the traditional ways in your wedding music plans, then the wedding march is always a great piece of music to use, and we know that the use of Here comes the bride, may have been excessive in the media recently, but you really cannot beat it for its associations with wonderful weddings of years past, and the way it creates a sense of occasion for so many of us.

However, one friend of mine still found the choice difficult. She was very nervous and did not have the confidence to select the music herself. Now if you experience the same problem it is possible to send a reply card along with the invitation card asking the guests to each write down their favorite tune on the reply card. Before the wedding, all that you have to do is just go through all these reply cards, and compile the list of all of the favorite songs, for the orchestra to play. This final idea is definitely a foolproof method of ensuring that your guests enjoy their favorite music.

The Marriage and Families Blog. is well worth a visit for EVERYONE planning to get married! Much invaluable additional reading is available on that site.

Steve Evans is a regular contributor of dog breed related articles at TThe Dog Lovers Compendium.

Breckenridge condo rentals are an excellent way to stay in one of Colorados most popular destinations.

When it comes to lodging in Breckenridge, you will have many choices, from hotels to mountain lodges to slopeside resorts. But renting a condo or home in Breckenridge offers you the privacy and flexibility to chart your own vacation course that some other accommodations cant.

While all the vacation rentals available in Breckenridge vary in size, proximity to downtown or ski slopes, as well as the amenities offered, you are sure to get more than you would find in a hotel. Lets start with a luxury Breckenridge vacation home, for example.

Set high on a hill away from the hustle and bustle of the resort areas, a vacation home in Breckenridge allows you peace and quiet while keeping you just a short drive from all the summer or winter recreation you want to pursue. With a gorgeous view of the peaks and valleys and a large hot tub on a deck, you can enjoy those views while you soak away the tensions of your regular life and relax the muscles you used skiing or mountain biking all day.

With multiple bedrooms and often multiple common areas, there is plenty of room for your family to spread out or come together. Many luxury Breckenridge vacation homes have fireplaces, grills, fully-loaded kitchens and top-of-the-line stereo and TV systems. Many homes come equipped with Internet connections and, in some cases, computers or fax machines to accommodate those who just cant escape work while they are on vacation.

But if you want to be closer to the action and maybe your budget is a little tighter, there are many 1 or 2-bedroom condos for rent in Breckenridge. While these often have many amenities like a vacation home, some of the amenities are typically shared. The pool and hot tub will likely be in a common area of the condo complex. This is certainly still fun, but you will be trading a little bit of privacy for overall savings on your lodging budget.

Breckenridge condos can be ideal for groups of friends on ski vacations. Smaller condos can often accommodate 4 to 6 people in rooms with multiple beds, loft space and pull-out couches. This can make for a more intimate vacation, but one that will keep your costs down. It will also give you more reason to spend time outside, which is why youre vacationing in Breckenridge after all, right?

For the hardcore skier, there are many condos available right on the slopes of Breckenridges various ski resorts. Its hard to beat the convenience of skiing right off the trail to your condo to warm up with some hot chocolate and then walking right across the way to the lift to take you back up. And since Breckenridge has developed as a summer destination as well, these mountainside condos are perfect for mountain bikers and hikers.

Its now easier than ever to find Breckenridge vacation rentals online. There are a number of Web sites that feature dozens and sometimes hundreds of different properties for rent. Many of these sites allow you to search and refine the results. Then when youve found something you like, you can just call or email the owner or manager of the property and work out the details to book the property. So get online and start the search today for your Breckenridge condo rentals.

Find dozens of Breckenridge condo rentals online at any of these sites: A1Vacations.com, HomeAway.com, CyberRentals.com, GreatRentals.com.

Birthday gift ideas vary for each age of recipient. As each year passes, it means being one year older and maybe a little wiser. There are those milestone birthdays that signify a rite of passage in every young person's life, and these are the teenage years - more specifically, the 13th, 16th, and 18th birthdays. A creative gift on these occasions should highlight the significance of reaching that age.

At thirteen, your child begins the world of adolescence. This is the age where some girls discover the opposite sex, while most boys can't pull focus away from their current video game.

By thirteen, your child has begun to find the things he or she is interested in. At this point, teens are still a virtual sponge. Gift ideas for kids at this age invoke some sort of great interest or passion and can carry over well into their college years.

If you find your child musically or artistically inclined, gather up birthday gift ideas that allow creative sides to show. Give them a used camera, some film, or a musical instrument.

These gifts could help children express themselves better and help create some very original artwork. On top of those gift ideas, get the gifts most every thirteen year old boy or girl would love, such as current trend gifts or fad fashions.

Gift ideas for some thirteen-year-old girls surround make up, perfumes and hair accessories. A creative gift idea for the social butterfly is to give her a set of calling cards. Certain specialty stores carry sets that have an eye-catching design.

You could also create some on your home computer if you have software that creates custom business cards. Just choose a design your daughter would like and use card stock or paper of a proper thickness in her favorite color.

For the boys, some best bets to stick with as birthday gift ideas are a new bike, bike accessories, scooters, video games, video game controllers, or skates. If the boys don't like going outside, get some them some carpet skates or a foam bowling kit. Invest in strategic board games such as Chinese Checkers, Chess, or Battleship. These games appeal to girls as well.

At sixteen, boys and girls have similar interests, mainly getting their license, cars, music, movies, clothes, and the opposite sex. Being accepted by their peers is important. Gift ideas for the girls are gift certificates to their favorite clothing store or beauty salon.

For the guys, get their favorite movie on DVD or a music album. Gift ideas for both are food cards, gas cards or a gift certificate for a tune-up if they own a car. If you're a really generous parent, consider buying them a car or at least help with a down payment.

The age of 18 brings new beginnings for your child. They may be going away to college or pursuing a trade career as soon as they graduate from high school. Some young adults opt for a time of travel and self-exploration at this age.

Selecting a birthday gift that signifies this transformation into adulthood can be a great way to help show your support. A map of the world, airline tickets or a passport wallet are all great birthday gift ideas for the adventurous young adult, while opening a Roth IRA or saving account is more suitable for a those pursuing a college degree or trade career.

Children become adults right before your eyes. Birthday gift ideas should center on the child's personal tastes and their age. Choosing a creative gift that will also serve as a keepsake or an investment in the child's future is a great way to make your gift special.

Mike Selvon has some informative creative gift articles for the creative mind. Find out more about birthday gift ideas at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our gift ideas blog where a free gift awaits you.