Three Ways to Take the Words "Traffic Jam" Out of Your Vocabulary

1. Use an alternative form of transportation.  There’s no shame in riding your bike, taking the bus, or using the train to get to your destination.  And it’s cleaner for the environment.

2. Change your schedule.  Most of the country is at work Monday – Friday from 9:00AM until 5:00PM.  That means traffic is the heaviest during the half hour before and after these times.  If you are able to budget your time in a way that avoids even just one of the two traffic jams you hit daily, you’ll be happier for it.

3. If you’re dealing with infuriating traffic jams daily, maybe it’s time to rethink your route to work.  Think of it this way: it’s impossible for all the roads in your city to be congested at once.  Breaking from routine can be a beautiful thing– especially if your routine involves gridlock traffic.

Learn Highway Lingo!

Ever wonder what old school trucking lingo was like? We've put together a few phrases that we found amusing.

• Water Bill- If you need to use the restroom you would say "it's time to pay the water bill".

• Wiggle Wagon- A truck with multiple trailers behind it.

• Reading the Mail- Listening to the radio without speaking. The equivalent of lurking on the internet.

• Driving Award- A speeding ticket.  

5 Things You Need to Do Before Your Summer Road Trip

Road trip season is here again!  There’s no doubt about it: one of the best parts of summer is hitting the road on an adventure.  But before you start your car and set out for unfamiliar horizons, make sure you have these things checked off your to-do list.

1. Top off coolant.  Seems pretty obvious, but many forget this one!  Make sure you stay cool out on the road and remember to be proactive about air conditioning care to prevent future problems.

2. Refill windshield washer fluid.  You’re bound to gather a few hitchhikers like bugs and dust on your journey.  Make sure your windshield wiper fluid is topped off so you can deal with these obstructions on-the-go.

3. Inspect your belts. As your car ages, belts become dry and brittle. This is made worse by heat and the last thing you want is to deal with a broken belt in the middle of your trip.

4. Check your tires. This is a good idea to do regardless of season, definitely not just a summer must. The easiest at-home method for this is performing the penny test.

5. Get your brakes checked out. Bring your car into our service department and let us take one final look before you head out! Even though you hope this summer never stops, you want your car to, eventually.

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.

Five Tips To Make Sure Your Car is Spring Ready

1. Welcome Spring with a car wash, get rid of the snow, ice and dirt that has been on your car for months! It is important to wash underneath your vehicle, there may be a buildup of road salt which could cause corrosion.
2. Wax on don’t let that wax come off. Experts say that liquid waxes do better than spray and paste and can add extra shine.
3. Remove the Starbucks cups and extra pairs of gloves you have thrown in the backseat.
4. Vacuum and power wash your carpets; let them completely dry before putting them back in your vehicle.
5. Winter can take a toll on your wind shield wipers so make sure to replace them before spring showers.

Why Texting and Driving Isn’t As Harmless As You Think

We all know not to text and drive, but still it’s tempting to send that quick text while at a red light. Here are the reasons you should refrain:

• As the number of texting induced accidents rise, some states are passing laws making it illegal for you to be on your phone while you drive and it comes with a hefty fine.
• If you think your insurance premiums are high now, wait until your insurance company hears that you caused the accident by texting. You should notice an immediate rise in your premiums and in some cases you may be dropped completely.
• Consider other people before you pick up your phone, not only do you endanger the people around you but you put the people in the car with you at extreme risk.
• The driver puts bikers and walkers at extreme risk when they aren’t even looking at the road.
• Hands free technology is widely available nowadays and not outrageously expensive. If you simply must reply to someone at that moment, do it without touching your phone.
  
  Please drive responsibly.

Pet Travel Tips!

It's usually not as easy as you think it would be. Bringing your best non-human friend on the road with you seems simple enough, right? Not always so. Here are a few tips on how to make travel with your pet easier.

Healthy Start: The last thing you need on the road is a sick pet. Make sure your pet is all set on vaccinations and has the proper certificates if you intend to cross any international/province/state borders. 

 

Frequent Pit Stops:  You pet can get stir crazy just like you! Stop at any designated waiting area or service stop and take it on a little walk. This may increase your travel time, but it is well worth it! Breaks like these also serve as a perfect time to hydrate.

 

Proper Restraint:  Whether your pet is calm and obedient in the car it is always important to make sure they are safe. No need to roll the windows down for fresh air, you don't want any debris hitting them in the face. A favorite blanket or pet bed is perfect for a long road trip. Creating a normalcy and routine for car rides helps your pet stay calm. 

 

There are lots of other ways to make you and your pet calm during a car ride lasting anywhere between 5 minutes and 8 hours. Thank you!

 

(Courtesy of Tripswithpets.com)

Seven Tips to Help Save on Fuel

Looking for ways to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to fuel? There are ways to help maximize each tank for a longer period of time. Some are well-known, and others you may not have realized; however, try these 7 tips to get the most of your next fill-up:

1. Lighten up. Empty your trunk and back seats of any items you don’t need. Also, don't fill up your tank until you're close to empty, as toting less fuel will also make your vehicle lighter. A lighter car should get you better MPG.

2. Cool off. It's okay to turn on you AC. Consumer Reports says that Air Conditioning's gas-guzzling reputation is undeserved. Furthermore, at higher speeds, opening the windows or sunroof can hurt on gas miles by increasing drag.

3. Stay straight. Staying in one lane as much as possible will also help with fuel consumption, as weaving in and out of lanes uses up more gas miles.

4. Tighten up. Your gas cap, that is. You don't want to let any of that precious fuel evaporate.

5. Shift up. Put your car in overdrive for highway driving. It lowers your RPM, which saves you gas money. Check your owner's manual for the recommended speed at which you may use overdrive.

6. Just cruise. Go ahead and use cruise control when you're on a flat highway, where it can increase gas miles by 7%. However, don't use it on uneven roads where it's not efficient.

7. Shut off. Turn off all electronics and climate controls before you cut the engine. With the extras off, your engine won't have to strain so hard to restart, leading to better gas miles.