Are You Ready For The Road?
An average of 13,000 Americans are killed between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, some as a result of unperformed vehicle maintenance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each year, neglected maintenance leads to more than 2,600 deaths, nearly 100,000 disabling injuries and more than $2 billion in lost wages, medical expenses and property damage.
Most mechanical failures can be traced to neglected maintenance. For example, the U. S. Department of Transportation reports the leading cause of mechanical breakdown on our nation's highways is overheating, a condition that is easily avoidable. Other deficiencies that are simple to detect include low antifreeze/coolant, worn or loose drive belts and defective cooling system hoses.
Checking tire pressure and inflating a tire costs nothing, yet an average of 21 percent of cars inspected in check lanes during National Car Care Month have under inflated tires. This can lead to a blowout and a serious accident.
Fuel Saving Tips
The Car Care Council offers these fuel-saving tips:
Vehicle Gas Caps
Even a seemingly small issue like a damaged or loose gas cap can have significant consequences. Approximately 17 percent of vehicles on the roads suffer from gas caps that are damaged, loose, or completely missing, leading to a startling vaporization of around 147 million gallons of fuel annually. Regularly inspecting and ensuring the proper sealing of your gas cap can prevent such unnecessary fuel loss.
Under Inflated Tires
Properly inflated tires are crucial for optimal fuel efficiency. Driving with underinflated tires creates a resistance similar to driving with the parking brake engaged, resulting in the loss of a mile or two per gallon. Regularly monitoring and maintaining the correct tire pressure can significantly improve fuel efficiency, ensuring a smoother and more economical driving experience.
Worn Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in your vehicle, be it four, six, or eight in number, endure an extraordinary amount of stress with each firing, occurring up to 3 million times every 1,000 miles. Such relentless use leads to a substantial buildup of heat, as well as electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty or worn spark plug can cause misfiring, leading to fuel wastage. It is essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for timely spark plug replacements to ensure optimal fuel efficiency and engine performance.
Dirty Air Filters
An air filter clogged with dust, dirt, and insects can significantly impede airflow, creating a "rich" fuel mixture where an excessive amount of gas is burned in relation to the available air. This not only leads to wastage of fuel but also causes the engine to lose power. By simply replacing a clogged air filter, you can witness a marked improvement in gas mileage, saving as much as 10 percent per gallon. This seemingly small maintenance step can result in substantial long-term savings while enhancing the overall performance of your vehicle.
Don't Drive Aggressively
Aggressive driving habits, such as sudden accelerations and abrupt stops, can significantly reduce gas mileage. In fact, aggressive driving can decrease gas mileage by up to 33% on the highway and 5% on city streets. Opting for smoother driving habits can substantially improve fuel efficiency.
Avoid Excessive Idling
Allowing a vehicle to idle for extended periods consumes fuel without yielding any mileage. Minimize unnecessary idling, and avoid letting the vehicle warm up for more than one to two minutes as excessive idling contributes to unnecessary fuel consumption.
Drive the Speed Limit
Maintaining a consistent speed and adhering to the speed limit can play a vital role in fuel efficiency. Gas mileage tends to decrease rapidly at speeds exceeding 60 mph. For every mile driven above 60 mph, you can expect an additional 10 cents per gallon in fuel costs. Utilizing cruise control can also help in maintaining a steady speed, thus enhancing fuel efficiency during highway driving.
A 10 Minute Pre-Trip Checkup Can Pay Off
Car Care Council offers three suggestions for a traveler's 10-minute pre-trip checklist:
Check All Fluids
The first part of our preventative maintenance program deals with your vehicle's fluids. Your car needs these fluids to keep running smoothly and prevent overheating. Most of our fluid change services are completed quickly so you can get back on the road in Wallingford, CT.
Our technicians are happy to monitor and refill your engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, anti-freeze, power steering and wiper fluids. We also perform checks on your radiator to ensure there are no small leaks caused by stones and other road debris.
Check Hoses and Belts
Your car's timing belts are extremely important to examine during the course of preventative maintenance. There are a number of events that need to take place for one full revolution of your car's engine. These belts ensure that they all line up with each other, and occur at exactly the right moment.
Should the belts become damaged or break, the events can fall out of sync and happen at the wrong time, which can be seriously detrimental to the health of your engine and your car overall. Darrell's Auto Service and Towing ensures that all your car's belts are healthy, and that all of those events keep happening at exactly the right time.
Check The Tires
Regular tire maintenance is crucial for safe and efficient driving. Start by checking the inflation of your tires, as maintaining the correct tire pressure is essential for optimal performance. Under-inflated tires can lead to decreased fuel efficiency and uneven wear. Conversely, over-inflated tires can compromise traction and handling. Inspecting the tread pattern is equally important.
Look for signs of uneven wear, which may suggest the need for a wheel alignment. Proper alignment ensures that all four tires are making consistent contact with the road, extending tire life and improving fuel efficiency. Additionally, check for bulges and bald spots on the tire surface, as these can indicate structural damage or tire wear that requires immediate attention.
In Summary
Not only can a pre-trip inspection help reduce chances of costly and possibly dangerous road trouble, it also provides an opportunity to have repairs made at home, with one's own technician who knows the vehicle. Especially important, it provides peace of mind. While no inspection can guarantee a car's performance, it's comforting to know proper precautions were taken.
"While a last minute checkup is better than no checkup, motorists should plan ahead to allow time to perform necessary maintenance themselves or at the local service facility. A properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable and will even save a few dollars at the gas pumps," said the Car Care Council's Executive Director, Rich White.
what our customers say
My car was in the shop and I borrowed my mother's. It died on the highway and Geico was able to get me a tow much sooner than AAA. The driver arrived exactly when he told me he would, and was a very capable, nice, pleasant young man. Cody got into the car, which due to the mechanical issue, locked with the keys inside it and was very empathetic when I explained my issue of PTSD on highways, the result of an accident. He drove carefully, was a good conversationalist and was careful to check my taste in music. I would absolutely recommend this company. They were quick, efficient and have an excellent staff. Thank you!
I had a really good experience, I would highly recommend anyone to use this company. My car was towed with great care, my lower ball joint were broken and I was concerned that they wouldn't be able to put the car on the tow truck. But Luis reassured me that it will be ok and was very polite. He treated my car like it was his.
I've been using Darrell's for 5+ years now. I wish I found them sooner! They're the best Auto Repair shop I've ever dealt with. They're reliable, trustworthy, VERY knowledgeable, and the entire crew are just "good people". They care about their customers and take an extreme amount of pride in what they do. Whether it's routine maintenance, or issues with your vehicle, you can absolutely TRUST they will do a great job. I have 3 children, with a couple older vehicles in the mix and they always make sure they're safe and road ready. For my newer vehicle, I'd been using a dealer for quite some time. After first going to Darrell's through a neighbor's recommendation, I found out the dealer wasn't providing nearly the same level of service that Darrell's does. They go above and beyond to make sure your vehicle is in the best shape possible. Thanks to Darrell, Chris, Leon, Lori and the entire crew!
I want to give a shout-out to Brian who towed my car last night during torrential rain. He was very kind and somehow got me in and out of the tow truck safely. I am almost 72, so this was not an easy feat. He also went beyond the call of duty and put my garbage bin and recyclable bin out near the road for pickup today. I can't thank him enough. And thank you for your service in the Navy.
