Protect the finish on your vehicle by following these dos and don’ts:

Dos:

• Do wash cars in shade or in cooler temperatures in the early morning or late afternoon.
• Do use a formulated car wash.
• Do fill your bucket with warm water.
• Do use a soft terrycloth towel or washing mitt.
• Do spray the car often with water.
• Wash one section at a time and rinse often to prevent soap from drying on the paint.
• Use a soft cloth or scratch-free fabric to dry the vehicle.
• Do wax your vehicle at least twice a year. Be sure to thoroughly clean your vehicle before waxing.
• Even cars with clear-coat should be waxed.

Don’ts:

• Don't wash cars in direct sunlight.
• Don't use dish detergent.
• Don't wash the entire car all at once.

Proper mechanical maintenance will save costly repairs and extend the life of your vehicle. Here are a few mechanical tips.

• Always consult your owner’s manual for recommended vehicle maintenance
• Have your oil changed per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Have all fluids checked, including brake, power steering, transmission/transaxle, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze.
• Check tire inflation. Under-inflated tires can result in a loss of fuel efficiency.
• Keep your engine tuned. A fouled spark plug or plugged/restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent.
• Have the chassis lubricated frequently. This step extends the life of the moving components of the vehicle's suspension system.
• Check battery cables and posts for corrosion and clean them as needed.
• Have the lighting system checked frequently, including headlights, turn signals, and brake and tail lights.
• Check windshield washer blades for cracks, tears and windshield contact. Replace them approximately once a year or sooner if streaking begins.
•  Inspect engine belts regularly. Look for cracks and missing sections or segments.
• Have the air filtration system checked frequently. The air filter should be checked approximately every other oil change for clogging or damage.

 

The price of gas keeps going up. Here are a few dos and don’ts to help you save some money.

Do:

• Do inspect your vehicle’s gas cap. A loose or damaged gas cap can cause your gas to vaporize.
• Do keep your tires properly inflated. When tires aren't inflated properly it can cost a mile or two per gallon.
• Do replace your vehicle’s spark plugs on a regular basis.
• Do replace your vehicle’s air filer on a regular basis. Replacing a dirty air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
• Do observe the speed limit. Gas mileage rapidly decreases at speeds above 60 MPH.
• Do combining errands into one trip. One longer trip is better than several short trips.

Don’ts:

• Don't be an aggressive driver. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent.
• Don’t let your vehicle warm up for more than a few minutes. Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon.
• Don’t carrying unneeded heavy items in your vehicle. An extra 100 pounds can cut fuel efficiency by a percent or two.