Get the Most out of Your Fuel Mileage

 



As gas prices continue to increase the best way to protect your pocket book is to increase your fuel mileage. Here are a few tips to keep your car green in more ways than one.

· Set your tires to the proper inflation: Properly inflated tires can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3%. It’s best to check your tires at least once a month, preferably once a week for the best results.

· Check the condition of your air filter: A dirty air filter can reduce fuel economy and even make an engine stall out when idling.

· Replace the fuel filter according to the car manufacturers recommended schedule: This will really help maximize your fuel efficiency.

· Take a load off: Try to minimize the amount of weight you’re carrying around. An extra 100 pounds can increases fuel consumption by 1-2%. If you don’t need it, take it out of the car.

· Get a tune up: A properly tuned engine can maximize power and increase fuel economy.

Keep Discourteous Drivers at Bay: Kill em’ with Kindness

We all get frustrated with those drivers that think they’re the only people on the road, but it’s important to put our safety first. Here are few common situations, and the do’s and don’ts of how to handle them.
Situation: A driver cuts you off for no apparent reason.

o Do: Maintain a safe following distance.

o Don’t: Tailgate them. If they’re as mean and nasty as you suspect them of being, they can very easily slam on their brakes and cause you a bigger headache.
Situation: Someone is talking on their cell phone (without using a hands-free device) while also trying to drive a stick shift. They’re swerving in and out of your lane carelessly while you are desperately looking for an escape route

o Do: Honk your horn (but in a nice way) to let the driver know they are endangering other people’s lives with their behavior. Try to maintain a safe distance until they are able to get their mind back on the road.

o Don’t: Lean on your horn and struggle to catch their eye so you can mean-mug them. This will cause you to take your eyes off the road as well, and you need to stay focused on driving.

Remember to keep your cool and think safety first in all situations! 

 

Three Common Driving Distractions and How to Deal with Them

1. Chatting with passengers: Statistically, people get in to more accidents when their car is overloaded with chatty kathy’s. If you’re the driver it’s your responsibility to maintain the order in your vehicle. If their too talkative and you can’t concentrate, it’s ok to tell them to put a lid on it.

2. Playing DJ: There’s nothing better than cruising down the road to your favorite song but it can also be a huge distraction. Every time you take your eyes off the road to change the radio station, or switch the song, you take the risk of getting in to an accident. To avoid this make sure your playlist is ready to go before you get in the car, that way you aren’t tempted to mess around with it while behind the wheel.

3. The infamous cell phone: This is the most important one! If you must talk on the phone, make sure that you are connected to a hands-free device. We recommend putting your phone away all together. If it’s an emergency, pull over to the side of the road and have your conversation. No call or text is worth endangering your safety or the safety of someone else!