Pemex is the name of Mexico’s Gas Company. You may have oil, air, and other fluids checked. If you get great service, you may choose to tip (5-10 pesos). It doesn't hurt to keep an eye on the gas pump. Double check that the pump has been reset to zero and then, as the attendant finishes up, double check that the peso amount you asked for has been reached.
Gas can be of a poorer quality and many people have chosen to use additives or to buy ‘premium’ gas. ‘Magna’ is regular gas, "Rojo" is premium. Additives can be bought at the gas station or in major dept. stores etc.

Last changes to the regulations affecting those with cars that have license plates from the U.S. or Canada.
For people who registered their car on their tourist visa, it is necesary to cancel that car permit and obtain a new one that is linked to your FM-3.

Therefore, we are recommending that teachers in this situation should cancel their current car permit and obtain a new permit. There are two ways you can do this:

1. The next time you drive to the Texas border, cancel your current permit before you leave Mexico. On your way back into Mexico, stop and obtain a new car permit.
2. The lawyer who handles our FM-3s is able to do this for you for a $1,000 peso fee. With this method, you would not have to drive to the border, cancel your permit, and obtain a new one.

Choose your method, but we strongly advise you to not ignore this alert. We would hate to see someone get hassled, fined, or have their car impounded because of a problem with their car permit. If you want to use the services of the lawyer, or if you have any questions about this, please contact Lucy Uribe.

For people with expired car permits tied to valid FM-3's, It is not necessary to renew your Mexican car permit as long as your FM-3 is valid. You might want to keep a copy of Article 106 in Spanish in your car in case you are questioned about it. For answers to car permit issues, please refer to the following web site: http://www.legalservicesinmexico.com/. There is a comprehensive article titled: "The Sticker Issue, What Happens to a Car Import Sticker during the FM-3 Visa Renewal Process." As well as a link to Article 106 of the Mexican customs law, in both English and Spanish.

The best advice to give the international community for coping with Monterrey traffic is to always be prepared for the unexpected.
It is indeed a different driving world here.

Some "tips" that may come in handy, or even save your life:
For one, don't come to a full, complete stop at a stop sign (Alto) until you have checked first in your rearview mirror to see if the car behind you has the same idea.
Remember that many drivers here treat stop signs as YIELD signs.
At cross streets and intersections not controlled by traffic lights or the police, assume that you DON'T have the right of way because, even if you do, it may not be recognized by others.
In addition, when the light turns green at an intersection, don't proceed until you have looked carefully for cars that might come flying through the intersection last minute.
Be careful not to jump green lights, even when you are in a hurry. Be ready for drivers to change lanes without using their turn signals. Abrupt lane changes are common and can easily lead to accidents.
If you plan to change lanes, don't forget to check behind and to the sides.
Passing on the right at high speeds is common.

Here are some important signs you will encounter:
Desviacion. Translates "Detour" but once you're off the main road there may be little guidance from there. Try to have a map handy.
No E. An E with a slash through it means No Parking. Don't risk parking in these areas unless you are prepared to pay a ticket and tow truck bill.
Curbs painted in yellow indicate a no parking zone. A common occurrence is to park in a place behind other cars and find yours towed a few hours later (especially in the Barrio Antiguo).
Caseta de cobro. It is a tollbooth.
Estacionamiento. Means parking. No matter what it looks like, a parking lot is usually safe as long as someone is on duty. Attendants often wear quasi-official tan uniforms.You can tip them.
School zones--enforced 30km/hr.

Use the McAllen address for most things. You are responsible for getting your mail. People often announce if they are going to the states to get it. Both schools have a mailbox for outgoing mail. Pick it up from the library if you are heading to the border. Packages may have a $1 fee for storage.
Some things have arrived by Mexican post, many have not. Mailboxes, etc. on Vasconcelos or Pakmail on Calzada del Valle will deliver to the US for a fee and post from there.
Everyone will have an email address at school. However, if you are interested in having internet in your home, some teachers have used:

Infinitum from TELMEX phone company. (ASDL 512k - 2Mb)
Intercable from Multimedios TV company. (CABLE 64k - 4Mb)
AXTEL (ASDL 56k - 1Mb)
Masternet from AT&T

Dial 00-countrycode-areacode-phonenumber for international long distance. It will be billed to your apt., and the rates are fairly expensive. You pay for each individual Local Call after you exceed your monthly quota of 100 calls/month. You also pay for each call to a cell phone (including local ones). You can dial cell phones with 044-81- then the cell phone number.

Most pay phones take phone cards (LADATEL Cards), not change, which you can purchase at convenience stores.

Using a Calling card or card number is more expensive than dialing direct. A less expensive option is using a call back service such as Koala Calling. The school can help you set this up.

Another option is for people outside of Mexico to phone you using calling cards.

Consider getting hi-speed internet in your house/apartment then using Skype to make phone calls either computer to computer or computer to regular phone. Rates are approximately 5 cents per minute to the US and Canada.

Paying Phone Bills:
Your phone bill will arrive to your house or apartment. You need to pay it at OXXO, 7-Eleven, HEB, and Soriana up to 3 days before it is due and to Banorte up to the day it is due. Any time after that you must go to pay at the Telmex Building on Constitucion. There is a cash payment machine where you can pay the bill 24/7. Here are the directions.

Travel East on Constitucion.
Take the left exit for Zua Zua (the barrio - downtown)
but just do the Retorno there to head back west.

Follow the service road at the right of Constitucion back until you almost get to Carranza - where the bridge to the Tunnel is.
(go past the big yellow telmex building)
The Telmex building (glass/concrete exterior) is on your right after a big furniture store. There is an open space with one long row of diagonal parking out front.

To get out of there, you have to circle the block. Go to carranza, go north, turn right after Carl's Junior (frame shop on the left has best deals in Mty if from ASFM, big star out front), travel to light, turn right, then you hit Constitucion at the end..

There are many cinemas in town.
Cinemark
Cinepolis
Cineteca de Nuevo Leon shows foreign films at their location near the old foundry, 8479-0015 to 8479-0019, for program, extension #2.
MM Cinema is close to school and has ‘recent’ releases.
V.I.P. Cinema in Valle Oriente is super-comfortable with sushi, a full bar, leather, reclining seats, and surround sound. Pricey, but worth it!