In-town fuel mileage decreases by five-to-ten percent in cold weather. This is caused by the winter fuel mixture and cold engines – they aren’t as efficient as warm ones. Combine your driving trips and check your tire pressure frequently to save gas. Are you trying to decide whether to mount studded or stud-less tires on your car this winter? I recommend stud-less because they handle better on dry or wet roads, do well in the snow, get better fuel mileage and cause far less damage to our roads and highways. You should check your tire pressure every month because it affects how your car handles, your fuel mileage and the life of your tires. You can find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle on the driver’s post or in the owner’s manual – not on the side of the tire.

Lighten up...your key chain, that is! The weight from all those keys puts excessive strain on your car’s ignition lock and tumblers. Removing the extra keys will lighten your load and extend the life of the tumblers…the key to saving you money and inconvenience. Driving an older vehicle? Watch out for car thieves. Pre-2000 vintage vehicles are easier to steal. Install a steering wheel lock like the Club. The Eugene Police Department can steer you in the right direction. They have them for only $12.50. When buying a car for your teenager, think safety first. Newer vehicles are safer. Most come equipped with safety features such as ABS brakes, traction and stability controls. If an accident does occur, advanced air bag systems can save lives. Newer is safer.

Lighten up...your key chain, that is! The weight from all those keys puts excessive strain on your car’s ignition lock and tumblers. Removing the extra keys will lighten your load and extend the life of the tumblers…the key to saving you money and inconvenience. Driving an older vehicle? Watch out for car thieves. Pre-2000 vintage vehicles are easier to steal. Install a steering wheel lock like the Club. The Eugene Police Department can steer you in the right direction. They have them for only $12.50. When buying a car for your teenager, think safety first. Newer vehicles are safer. Most come equipped with safety features such as ABS brakes, traction and stability controls. If an accident does occur, advanced air bag systems can save lives. Newer is safer.

Always pay close attention to warning lights on your dash. If one is lit, something could me amiss. Procrastination could lead to a breakdown or a more costly repair bill. You never save money by ignoring a warning light. The school bell has rung. Slow down in school zones and watch out for kids. Parents, make sure cell phones are stowed in backpacks when your students are walking to school. They need to pay attention to what’s going on around them. Visibility is the key to safe driving during the fall and winter seasons. Check your window washers – make sure they are working properly and that the fluid is ready for cold weather. Rain-X or other windshield wax will keep your windshield looking good.

Don’t ever leave your pet in the car with the windows rolled up. On a hot summer’s day, the inside temperature can rapidly rise to more than 135 degrees. It’s a good idea to just leave the animals at home. When you’re driving on I-5 this summer, don’t let the gas gauge drop to empty before filling up. Most fuel pumps are located in the gas tank and they rely on fuel for cooling and lubrication. Stop for gas when you’re down to one-eighth of a tank. Before heading out on that summer vacation, check your tires. Tire troubles are a common reason for road trip breakdowns. You should also routinely rotate your tires and replace all four at the same time with matching tires.

Before leaving for a trip, take your vehicle to a professional. It’s important to check the cooling and air conditioning systems and suspension. Inspect tires for proper pressure, tread depth and alignment. Get a good night’s sleep before you leave and take a break every two hours to stretch. To get better gas mileage, check tire pressure monthly when your tires are cold. Keep extra weight out of the trunk and limit the use of roof racks – they can reduce mileage by as much as ten percent. And, if the manufacturer recommends premium fuel - don’t try to save money by using regular gas. If an animal suddenly jumps in front of your car, look where you want to go – not at the animal. Where you look is where the car will go. Apply the brakes firmly, but don’t swerve to avoid the animal. Stay on the road and you will avoid injury – or worse. ... read more

Here’s how to cool the interior of a hot car that has been sitting in the sun: roll down the windows for the first three minutes of driving. I have measured the temperature of a closed vehicle and it was more than 135 degrees. Roll down the windows to cool it off fast. 80-percent of major engine damage is from overheating. If your car does overheat, pull safely to the side of the road and have it towed. That extra mile could be costly. Never try to open a hot cooling system. It’s also a good idea to have your vehicle checked before heading out on a long trip. Here are some simple tips to increase fuel mileage: don’t warm up your vehicle before driving. Accelerate as if there is an egg under your gas pedal until the engine warms up. Choose routes with fewer stops. Follow speed limits and use your cruise control on the freeway. ... read more

  It’s important to keep both sides of your car’s windshield clean. As the summer sun bakes the interior, gases are released which settle on the inside, while bugs and other debris accumulate on the outside. These can combine to dangerously reduce visibility, especially when driving into the sun. To keep your car’s brakes working properly, change the fluid every two years. Brake fluid tends to absorb water which corrodes parts and lowers the boiling point. If brake fluid boils, the stopping distance of your vehicle could be greatly reduced putting you and your family in jeopardy. Do you have your vehicle registration and insurance card in your car at all times? If you don’t and you get stopped by a police officer, you will get a traffic ticket, or worse yet, your car could be impounded if you don’t have proof of insurance. Check to make sure you have them both. ... read more

  If your engine shuts off while driving – stay calm, all the controls will still work. Grip the steering wheel with both hands and pull over to the side of the road. The brakes may require more pressure so push harder. Newer vehicles don’t need to be tuned. If something goes wrong, the check engine light will appear. Get your car inspected soon since the self-diagnostic system monitors many functions, some very important to the health of your vehicle. Driving with your headlights on makes your vehicle more visible to other drivers. Check that all your lights are working, including all three brake lights. The extra effort to make sure your vehicle is safe to drive may just save a life.

When snow or ice coats your windshield, don’t use your wipers to wipe it off. Remove it with a scraper or brush before driving. Wiper linkage is fragile and will break under heavy loads. Have your car’s wheel alignment checked at least every two years. Always check it after bumping a curb or buying new tires. Vehicles out of alignment wear out tires, negatively affect handling and reduce gas mileage. When driving around town in cold weather, gas mileage decreases by five-to-ten percent. That’s because your car doesn’t run as efficiently with a cold engine using winter fuel. Combine your trips to save gas and regularly check your tire pressure.