Over 150,000 Jeep Wranglers have been recalled by Chrysler to correct an issue with automatic transmission overheating. The problem occurs when the automatic transmission fluid is heated to the point that it boils over and could possibly spill onto hot engine and/or exhaust components and catch fire.

According to Chrysler, the 2007 and 2008 Jeep Wranglers lack a transmission fluid temperature warning system that would alert the driver if the temperature heats up too much. The transmission will usually only get hot enough to boil the fluid when driven under extreme conditions or under a heavy load.

Jeep Wrangler owners can call Chrysler toll free for more information at 1-800-835-1403.

States have a habit of taking money from OHV funds and using them in the general fund, or worse, giving OHV funds to State Parks that don't allow OHVs. New Mexico's Governor recently vetoed part of plan that would have used OHV funds for various general fund projects that had nothing to do with OHVs.

Gov. Bill Richardson gets it.

The OHV program was not raided, but the budget still took over $100 million from other special funds and poured it into the state's general-purpose fund. The reason the OHV fund was not raided was because of the effort put forth by the AMA to inform riders about the pending theft of their funds, and encouraged them to contact Bill Richardson and tell him not to allow it.

The same thing happened in Ohio this past summer when Gov. Ted Strickland quickly changed his plans to pilfer the Motorcycle Safety and Education Program for almost a million dollars after his constituents told him to keep his hands off it. At least some in our government realize the repercussion if they don't listen to their bosses. Lets hope it starts catching on.

Rep. Maurice Hinchey, Democrat from New York, is trying to by-pass the congressional debate of H.R. 1925, which would close over 9 million acres in Utah to OHVs. Since he failed miserably in trying to get ANY representative from Utah to back him in his land grab, he has resorted to asking Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to use his administrative powers to close those lands without debate and without approval from the very state that would be affected.

If enacted, this bill would close the designated areas to all activity including OHVs, bicycles and horses. This includes Moab, one of THE places to offroad, hike and ride horses.

To make things worse, much of the land that is covered in this bill does not comply with the requirements to create such a wilderness designation. According to the Wilderness Act of 1964, Wilderness can only apply to lands 'retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation.'

This closure would be on top of the 2 million acres already closed, and would greatly damage the local economies that rely on the income from OHV recreation in these very popular places. It is my opinion that there is a clear and concise effort to destroy the financial livelihood of Utah. The AMA is urging all offroaders, equines and bicyclists to join together and make their voices heard by contacting the powers that be and telling them to Leave Utah Alone!

Read the letter that Hinchey and 88 other representatives sent to try to force the closure of MOAB without going through the proper channels.

This weekend I'll be trekking out to Clark County, Nevada with Discover Today's ATV and the ATV Safety Institute to spend a day riding in the Valley of Fire just outside of Las Vegas. I've been told that this time of year has some of the best riding available in the Las Vegas area, and the Valley of Fire is arguably one of the top riding spots around there.

I will be joining Jun Villegas, an instructor for ASI, and Ty van Hooydonk from DTA. I will be mounting a Suzuki King Quad 750 and a Yamaha Grizzly 700. Both with power steering, which is a first for me. The Valley of Fire is also a new ride for me, and you can look forward to a nice photo gallery when I return.

The ASI is a not for profit organization that promotes rider training for new riders and even for experienced riders who are simply looking for a refresher course. If you've got kids and they ride ATVs, you already know ATV safety is a top priority. So taking them to get certified is only going to help ensure their safety.

The ASI RiderCourse is a single day event and is FREE if you buy a new ATV, either for an adult or a child. If you're buying used, it only costs $155.00 for adults, and $55.00 for children. If children are riding ATVs they must be certified or must be riding with a certified adult.

The ASI promotes the following "Golden Rules of ATV riding":

1. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
2. Never ride on public roads - another vehicle could hit you.
3. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle.
5. Ride an ATV that's right for your age.
6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
7. Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
8. Take an ATV RiderCourse; Call Toll-Free at 800.887.2887, or go to www.atvsafety.org.