Automotive Tip

Avoid Distractions - Sending text messages isn't the only dangerous distraction that drivers need to avoid while operating a vehicle. Changing CDs, using cell phones, eating, and interacting with passengers are just a few examples of the types of distractions that you should take care to avoid when driving.

Automotive Tip

Clean hard to reach areas of your auto (dashboard, cup holders) with a dampened sponge tipped paint brush.

Automotive Tip

When driving at night ... Cars come with dashboard dimmer switches for a reason. With bright dashboard LEDs and large infotainment screens finding their way into vehicles, there are a lot of sources of unnecessary and distracting lighting inside a vehicle that can diminish your vision. Dimming dash lights can remove reflections on the windshield and allow your eyes to better adjust to the darkness ahead, improving nighttime visibility.

Automotive Tip

our vehicle’s engine needs unrestricted airflow for proper performance. Have the air filtration system checked frequently for clogging or damage. Doing so will help ensure that your vehicle is performing at peak condition

Automotive Tip

When passing vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road, move over to get out of the way if the way is clear for you to change lanes. If changing lanes is not possible, slow down while passing stopped vehicles.

Automotive Tip

Lose the Junk - Every 100 pounds you remove improves economy by 1 to 2 percent, so clear our your trunk and your backseat before you leave home. Both of them are preferable to a loaded-down roof rack, however, which can fuel economy by as much as 5 percent.

Automotive Tip

Don't try to run your windshield washer system once you suspect there's no more fluid in the tank, or you may damage the washer fluid pump.

Automotive Tip

Keep your speed down. Most vehicles "have their best efficiency at 40 to 50 miles an hour", says Roger Clark, a fuel economy engineer at General Motors. "Every 10 miles an hour above those speeds, you lose four miles a gallon." So if you can take a rural road with few or no traffic lights, your gas tank is better off than being on a high-speed freeway.

Automotive Tip

When driving at night ... Cars come with dashboard dimmer switches for a reason. With bright dashboard LEDs and large infotainment screens finding their way into vehicles, there are a lot of sources of unnecessary and distracting lighting inside a vehicle that can diminish your vision. Dimming dash lights can remove reflections on the windshield and allow your eyes to better adjust to the darkness ahead, improving nighttime visibility.

Automotive Tip

If you’re headlights don’t appear to be as bright as they once did, you may want to check their cleanliness. Sometimes, dirt from the road transfers over to your lights dim them. Before taking your car into the mechanic for this, try giving the headlights a good cleaning first.