Getting ready to take a spring vacation or are you just spring cleaning. If you are driving any long distance or just your day-to day travels - it all requires a little planning. Part of that planning should include making sure that the vehicle you will be using is safe and properly maintained before embarking on your travels.
Time to Get Rid of Your Gas Guzzler? Or Work With What You Have
With gas prices hovering around $3 a gallon, it might pay to invest in a new, more fuel-efficient car, even if you were hoping to eke out another year or two with your current model. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, a car that gets 40 miles to a gallon vs. 20 miles to a gallon can save you more than $900 annually in gas costs when gas was $2.50 a gallon. Before you hit the showrooms, a little research can help you focus your sights on cars that are fuel-efficient choices. Make sure to get the necessary tools to sell or find a car quickly and conveniently. I use the internet and go to sites like autotrader.com.
If you are keeping your existing vehicles there are a few ways to get the best fuel economy. A cleaner engine can give your car better performance - ensuring less hesitation and smoother acceleration. It may even help improve your gas mileage. With continuous use, premium Amoco Ultimate at BP can help clean engines and the fuel intake system by cutting away deposits. This spring, it's important to remember to not only keep the outside of your car clean, but the inside as well.
Checking your tire pressure once a month against the number on your door placard will also make a 2-3 mpg improvement.
What Else Can You Do To Have A Better Vehicle
After battling months of snow and icy roads, your car is undoubtedly in desperate need of some serious tender-loving care. Follow this spring checklist to ensure that your car is tuned up and spring-ready.
Remove your winter tires / rotate all season tires - If you have winter tires, it's finally time to store them. If you don't have winter tires, it's equally important to have all season tires rotated. Driving in the winter weather can be hard on tires. Rotating tires regularly extends their life and will give you better braking and handling. This is especially important when you're driving on wet roads that are typical during spring.
Wiper blades check - Your wipers work hard all winter wiping away dirt and debris on your windshield. It is a good idea to replace them in the spring to be prepared for April showers.
Brake check - After the cold winter be sure to check your brakes. One of the warning signs is brake noise, including excessive grinding, squealing, screeching or chatter.
Few things on a car are more important to safety than the brakes. Putting off a brake job too long could cost a new set of rotors -- or worse, lead to an accident. That's why it's important to inspect or replace all brake system components on a regular basis.
Duralast brakes come in different friction grades, so your pads will match the manufacturer's specification for your vehicle platform. They also use molded technology for superior durability, and noise reduction. You can only get Duralast brakes at AutoZone.
Worn hardware is the biggest contributor vibration and premature wear. Replacing your brakes and hardware is an inexpensive way to make sure your cars stops safely and quietly as possible.
Clean the underbody - In addition to washing the exterior, be sure to spray the underbody and underneath the rear and front bumpers to rinse away any salt build-up that can lead to erosion and rusting. Use a high-pressure sprayer or garden hose for best results.
Interior clean-up - Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! Be sure to throw away any unwanted garbage that has hibernated under your seats over the winter. And now is the time to store your winter car mats in the garage. Any vinyl surface including the dashboard, seats and the steering wheel are susceptible to cracking, sun damage and fading - be sure to apply a protectant at the beginning of the season and touch-up regularly.
Exterior Clean up - Apply a protectant - to the paint - it will help the paint last longer and improve the value of your car. Turtle Wax Ice Synthetic Car Polish is a great choice because it's unlike traditional car polishes. Turtle Wax Ice is a clear liquid that wipes on-and-off the exterior of a car with minimal effort while producing exceptional shine and protection. The best part of the Ice Polish is that you can use it on plastic bumpers and works on everything but windows.
Traditional car waxes have to be applied in the shade to a cool surface - Ice has been tested at surface temperatures beyond 150 degrees and the product actually accelerates in the heat. Pretty cool - you can work on your tan and have your ride look good too.
There's nothing like a clean and shiny vehicle. Add waxing a car burns 200 calories and hour, so you and your vehicle will look great!
Change oil - If you've haven't changed your oil since the fall or have driven more than 5000 miles - it times to change your oil. But make sure you stick to the manufacturer's recommended oil type for your car! I prefer synthetic oil it will protect your engine all year round.
Check all fluids to make sure they're topped up - In the winter months; fluids are easily depleted as your engine works harder in the colder weather. Make sure to double-check all the car's fluids regularly.
Inspect all the lights and belts - don't get stuck on the side of the road. Communicate with other drivers and see where you're going too.
Wash your car - Just like a good maintenance program, prolong the life and performance of your car, all vehicles regardless of the finish require regular washing throughout the year to preserve your car's shine.
Its important "Be Car Care Aware the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair will keep you safer on the road and protect your investment. To obtain a free service interval schedule, visit
www.carcare.org.
Also check out these sites for more information:
Auto Trader.com
Duralast Brake Pads and Hardware
BP Amoco Ultimate Gasoline
Turtle Wax Ice Formula Wax -
Car Care Council
