Summer Car Safety Tips

It’s Hot.  Or at least it’s about to be.  Summer is here and the nation is heating up with some record-breaking temperature in some regions.  Blog readers, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of tips for keeping safe during the summer. 

1.    DON’T leave your children or pets in a closed car – If it feels a bit scorching outside, ALWAYS play it safe.  If you’re in the process of running errands and it’s a process to unstrap your children and or pet, take the extra time to securely unfasten their harness.

2.    Park in the SHADE – this should be a given.  Tis can keep your car several degrees cooler in the summer. 

3.    Keep Emergency Items in Your Vehicle – keeping spare items in your vehicle is important for your safety in hot months.  You should have:

a.    Bottled Water

b.    Snacks (that don’t spoil and can handle varying weather conditions)

c.    First Aid Kit

d.    Smartphone

4.    Service Your Vehicle – our technicians are skilled in providing services to maintain the life of your vehicle.  Your car may need extra care in dry climates. Keep up to date on oil changes and fluid checks. Make sure your battery is good and have your air bags and seat belts checked to make sure everything is functioning properly.

Is There Really a Difference at the Pump?

I know, you’ve been there, done that.  Deciding which gas to fill up with can be difficult; you can sometimes find yourself at the pump thinking about which fuel to fill your car up with.  Whether you’re driving an SUV, compact car, or super car, each type of gas performs differently.  When you arrive at the gas station you fill up on unleaded gas, with three options: octane, special additives, and ethanol content. In today’s blog, we’re discussing the several options of gas purchase for when you’re at the pump. 

Octane

Octane has three options: 87, 89, and 92.  Large engines perform well on 87 octane, smaller cars do well with 89, and high performance cars run perfect on 92 octane.  The higher the octane rating the more compression the fuel can handle before it ignites.  If your engine begins to knock, then fuel is igniting from the compression, not from the spark.  Thus, damaging your engine.  If this continues to occur, it’s time to buy higher-octane gas.

Special Additives

Special Additives are beneficial because their utilized by fuel companies to keep the inside of the engine clean.  For example, Exxon uses high amounts of additives in their gas to keep your system clean.  All the major gas companies use detergent additives to help keep the engine clean, so this should not really be a consideration. 

Ethanol content

The final option is ethanol content.  The lower the ethanol content, the better the fuel will burn in your engine, providing a longer life for your engine.  Ethanol is also good because it improves fuel economy, sometimes giving up to a 20% boost. 

Saving the planet, saving money, or prolonging the life of your car?  These are all great options to consider, give us your feedback!

7 Things You Should Have in Your Car

Ok, as an individual who enjoys a tidy workspace, I can understand why you wouldn’t want to be compared to the vehicle equivalent of the individuals on the TV show: “Hoarders.”  We also want you to keep safe while you make your daily commute, so we’re feeling a bit conflicted.  In most cases, your vehicle is well equipped with the necessary tools to run smoothly.  In today’s blog, with help from The Simple Dollar, we provide a list of some extra essentials that could aid you daily.

1.    Owner’s manual This should naturally be in your glove compartment anyway, but you want to make sure that it is indeed in your car.

2.    Maps Keep a detailed map of the state you’re in in your car at all times – or even a current atlas if you have room. Don’t completely rely on a GPS navigation system.

3.    First aid kit (and manual) This can be vital if you’re in an accident and someone has injuries. Slowing down bleeding quickly can mean the difference between walking something off and going into shock.

4.    Flashlight (and extra batteries) Similarly, a flashlight is utterly essential at night if you need to change a tire.

5.    Bottled water This is necessary for sustenance if you get stuck somewhere and have to wait for a while.

6.    Food! Non-perishables, need we say more?

7.    Umbrella stay dry, my friends.

Smartphone App of the Week: CarBUZZ

Ok, so you’re sitting down at the doctor’s office waiting for your appointment.  Your seat is uncomfortable, you have the urge to sneeze and the little boy across the room is eyeing you with an evil disposition.  Thanks to CarBUZZ, an online automotive authority, your troubles are over.  While waiting, you can take advantage of this downtime by downloading the FREE CarBUZZ app for your smartphone.  It’s an amazing way for car enthusiasts to enjoy the latest reviews, editorials, and news from the automotive industry via a mobile medium.  According to CarBuzz:

“Readers will be immersed in a wide variety of articles, providing opinions and reviews on the latest and most exciting vehicles, as well as daily news updates encompassing everything from the automotive world.

CarBuzz is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android powered devices.”

Check it out! http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/carbuzz-958-cars-inside/id387682790?mt=8

This week's featured smartphone app is CarBUZZ, an awesome free app that keeps you informed!!! Download it FREE here