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.

  If you must park your vehicle under trees, make sure that leaves and needles don’t accumulate in your car’s cracks and crevices or in the cowl in front of the windshield. Lift the hood and clean it out or else drains may plug and rust components. When leaving your car, lock the doors with the windows up. Don’t leave valuables in the car, store them in your trunk. Never place your garage door opener near your registration – it’s an open invitation for thieves to rob your home. Most vehicles have cabin air filters. These filters are designed to create fresh, clean air for passengers. They should be replaced every 15 to 20-thousand miles… about the same schedule as your engine’s air filter.

  Check your owner’s manual to determine whether you should use regular or premium fuel in your car. There is no reason to use premium if regular fuel is recommended. Using premium will not increase fuel mileage. Never leave your vehicle running unattended, even if it’s just parked in your driveway or in the parking lot of the local supermarket. And, it’s not a good idea to leave your keys in your car either. Don’t give thieves an easy opportunity to steal your vehicle. Here’s how to increase fuel mileage. Don’t warm up your vehicle before driving. Use a gentle touch – like an egg is under the gas pedal – until the temperature gauge is in the normal range. Choose a route that has fewer stops… that saves gas and brakes.

Increasing Fuel Mileage