(ARA) – In today’s economy, people want to know how they can keep their vehicles on the road for longer periods of time. Frequent maintenance will keep your car in good health, ensuring you get the most out of all those expensive-to-replace parts, according to the Car Care Council. When does it make sense to upgrade to a premium automotive product?

That’s a question that stumps a lot of people when confronted with the wide range of prices for seemingly comparable products. Here are a few tips on common automotive product categories to help you make informed decisions.

Gasoline: Engines are designed to use a particular grade/octane of gasoline. While some auto manufacturers specify using a high-octane gasoline, some consumers purchase the higher octane gasoline based on the assumption that it’s better for the car. However, there is no benefit in using a higher octane than recommended by the manufacturer. In fact, if you paid 40 cents a gallon extra to purchase super premium gas as opposed to regular, that would cost you an additional $320 a year (assuming 12,000 miles driven and 15 miles per gallon).

The bottom line: Don’t use a higher octane rating than recommended by the car’s manufacturer.  

Motor oil: Lubrication technology has seen significant improvements over the years. The longer oil life of high-performance synthetic motor oil allows for extended oil drains, saving time and money, and reducing the impact on the environment. Additionally, some high-performance synthetic oils such as Royal Purple have been reported to improve mileage as much as 3 percent or more. Three percent may not seem like a substantial amount, but it can result in hundreds of dollars in savings over the course of a year.

The bottom line: Upgrade to a high-performance synthetic motor oil for extended oil drains and improved fuel economy.

Wiper blades: Where you live is the critical factor in determining the value of upgrading to a premium wiper. There is a noticeable performance difference in low-cost wiper blades versus those specifically designed for rainy and snowy climates. Premium wiper blades are considerably sturdier and more durable than low priced blades.

The bottom line: Rainy and snowy climates justify spending a few dollars more for premium wiper blades.

Oil filters: Inexpensive filters are typically made with the 3,000 mile interval in mind. These filters often use low-quality paper media for filtration and deteriorate rapidly after 3,000 miles. The new generation of high-performance premium oil filters from manufacturers such as K&N,  Royal Purple and others allow for extended oil drain intervals. For example, Royal Purple uses a proprietary long-life, micro-glass media that provides protection for 12,000 miles. It also provides an increased level of protection due to the density of the filtration. You can find out more at www.royalpurple.com.

The bottom line: Upgrade to a premium oil filter if you plan to extend oil drain intervals or if you operate your vehicle in extreme conditions such as dusty environments or cold weather climates.

(ARA) – If your family has started to rethink your travels because of fuel prices, you may be looking for ways to save a few dollars at the gas pump when you fill up your truck. And if purchasing a new, more fuel-efficient truck isn’t an option for your family, here are some ways you can save gas money now.

* Fuel choice: The first place to start saving is at the pump. Choose the fuel with the lowest octane level possible for your vehicle. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year, according to the Car Care Council (CCC), while using it won’t boost your truck’s performance. Once your tank is filled, make sure you tighten your gas cap to prevent fuel from evaporating. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gasoline to evaporate each year, according to the CCC.

* Driving style: The less you drive, the less you’ll spend on gasoline. When you must get behind the wheel, consider your driving style. If you like to get up to speed quickly, and slow down at the last minute for a stop light or sign, you’re likely burning extra fuel. Instead, stop and start gently, use cruise control when possible and reduce the amount of trips you make each day to reduce your gas consumption.

* Reduce drag: Smooth out the aerodynamics of your truck with a truck bed cover, or a tonneau cover. Such covers, like the Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by Agri-Cover Inc., a North Dakota truck accessory company, are the easiest step you can take to see immediate gas mileage improvement. The roll-up cover is lockable, so not only does it help reduce your drag while traveling at high speed, it also protects your gear and improves the look of your vehicle. This cover installs easily with a clamp-on installation and can be rolled up behind the cab when not in use. For more information on the Access Roll-Up Cover and to find out how much gas money you could save, visit www.accesscover.com.

* Maintenance: Checking and changing your oil is one of the most overlooked maintenance items, according to most auto body technicians. Oil is responsible for reducing wear caused by friction between moving parts in your truck’s engine. It also helps to remove harmful substances from the engine. But if your oil isn’t clean, it can’t do its job appropriately. Also make sure the oil, air and fuel filters are clean as well. Once you’re finished checking your truck’s engine components, check your tires to see if they have the proper air pressure as recommended by your truck manufacturer. Proper inflation can improve your gas mileage by up to 3 percent.

(ARA) – We all know the winter months can be hard on vehicles, and this year was no exception. Chances are your vehicle is in need of a little restoration. Returning your car to optimal condition may be less expensive and time-consuming than you think. Use these tips to get your car back in shape for a summer of smooth and smart travel.

Paint protection

Winter can be tough on a car’s exterior, and snow and ice may have made it difficult to see any chips or scratches in your vehicle. But now spring sunshine will reveal every nick, chip and scratch in your vehicle’s paint. Restoring your ride to its original factory finish takes only minutes with the easy to apply Dupli – Color ScratchFix 2in1. This innovative product is available in hundreds of exact-match colors for domestic and imported vehicles.
Simply use the vehicle make, model and year to find your guaranteed matching color code, and use one of the two applicators to fix any scrapes or nicks in no time. With a roller ball tip for precision and a tapered brush for full coverage, ScratchFix 2in1 will help restore your vehicle to its optimal condition. And not only will ScratchFix 2in1 make your car look great, the touch-up paint will also protect the damaged surface from rusting and becoming a big, expensive problem.

Under pressure

Driving on tires that are too flat or full can make summer traveling dangerous and expensive. With sky-high gas prices, maintaining optimal air pressure and getting the most out of your miles is more important than ever. You can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires properly inflated, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The recommended tire pressure for vehicles is usually found on a sticker inside the driver’s-side door or glove box, as well as in your vehicle owner’s manual. Checking tire pressure takes only a few seconds, but it may have a significant effect on both your well-being and your wallet.

Wiper replacement

Don’t let springtime showers catch you off-guard this year. Even if your windshield wipers aren’t visibly worn, they may not be working effectively after the winter months. Freezing temperatures can cause rubber to become brittle, making your blades more likely to crack or split. If yours leave behind spots or streaks of cleaning fluid, they need to be replaced. If you can pull the blades away from the windshield with little resistance, you may need new wiper arms.

Visibility is essential to safe driving year-round, and replacing these essential pieces every six to 12 months will ensure your view of the road is always clear. And, if you have one, remember to check and replace your rear windshield wiper as well.

Attention to detail

With just a few basic cleaning products and a little elbow grease, you can make your ride gleam. First, remove and wash the floor mats, and vacuum the carpets and seats. Using an all-purpose cleaner, wipe down the dashboard and use canned air to remove dust and dirt from the tiny nooks and crannies in the instrument panel. Use foaming fabric soap or leather cleaner on any stains, and fix small tears with a vinyl repair kit. Next, use hot water and vehicle soap to wash the vehicle in sections from top to bottom. Remember the wheel wells, and give a final rinse to avoid soap spots. When dry, wax the body, including under door jambs and behind the bumpers. Use a toothbrush to remove excess wax from emblems or flat black surfaces, then scrub your tires and polish the rims for a head-turning exterior.

You don’t need to break the bank to get your car back in shape for the hottest auto season. With just a little time and minimal cost, a summer-ready car is at your fingertips. These tips will help you whip your vehicle into prime condition, so get ready to show off your refreshed ride and enjoy wherever the new season takes you.

(ARA) – Windows down, music turned up, friends giggling in the back seat, freedom … it’s the moment all teenagers dream of – getting their drivers license.

Teen drivers are often euphoric with this new sense of independence. After all, getting a drivers license is a big rite of passage. Teens are inundated, and rightfully so, with statistics and horrific stories that point to the dangers of driving while intoxicated. However, new research shows that distracted driving is among the leading causes of auto accidents, and the problem is getting worse.

“Although laws have been put into place in the spirit of eliminating dangerous distractions for drivers, it’s critical that parents, teachers and influencers at large talk to teenagers about the dangers of driving distracted,” says Duke Daugherty, vice president of auto at Fireman’s Fund Insurance. “It seems harmless to take your eyes off the road for a few seconds to send a text, or change the station, but those few seconds could cost the loss of lives, and a lifetime of angst.”

Research complied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that distracted driving caused 6,000 deaths and 500,000 injuries in 2008. And data shows that these numbers are continuing to grow. Research also shows that teen drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a distracted-related collision than any other age group.

In general, three types of distractions are most dangerous for teenagers on the road. These distractions can be visual (actions that require drivers to take their eyes off the road), manual (actions that require taking hands off the steering wheel) or cognitive (actions that require drivers to take their minds off what they’re doing).

Local agencies, police departments and focus groups have put into place programs intended to inform teenagers of the dangers of distracted driving, but it’s crucial for parents and schools to keep the dialogue going so teenagers understand the urgency of the problem.

“Encourage your teenagers to be completely alert and fully focused on the road and their surroundings while driving,” says Daugherty. “Parents need to model good behavior in front of their kids by not texting or making calls that distract from driving. If we all take steps to show how important this is, we will see a drop in the behavior by teens.”

Discuss and stress the following driving guidelines:

* Keep both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road (use mirrors).

* Avoid cell phone use – Cell phones are the number one distraction for teenager drivers. Cell phone use falls under the categories of visual, manual and cognitive distractions. Mobile technology has made texting, surfing the Internet and social networking all too easy.

* Encourage teenagers to avoid using their phones, for anything at all, until they are safely pulled off the road and parked. Devices are available to disable cell phone use in autos.

Drivers younger than age 20 represent the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes, according to the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS). Reiterate to your teenagers that making a phone call, using the Internet or sending a text message is never more important than somebody’s life. If they are driving with friends who participate in cell phone use while driving, encourage them to be bold and speak up.

Teenagers should also refrain from the following activities while driving, according to the US Department of Transportation:

* Eating and drinking

* Having lengthy or involved discussions with passengers

* Grooming

* Reading (including maps)

* Using a PDA or navigation system

* Watching a video

* Changing the radio station, CD or MP3 player

It only takes one simple distraction to cause a potentially fatal car accident. Remind your teenagers to avoid participating in distracted driving activities, and to be advocates for their own safety and their peers as well.

(ARA) – Sleigh bells ring, lights twinkle, snow gently blankets the landscape and the aroma of baking fills the air – it’s easy to get caught up in the warm feelings of the holidays. But if you let your guard down while holiday shopping, Santa might not be the only one uttering “Ho, ho, ho” this season. Identity thieves are looking for opportunities to make their season especially bright.

“As we have seen year after year, the holidays always yield a higher rate of identity theft and related frauds,” says Linda Foley, founder of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). “At times like these, it is important to protect yourself from the many individuals looking to take advantage of vulnerable targets — both out in public and online.”

Among the tech-savvy 18- to 24-year-olds, 76 percent expect to do their holiday shopping in a store, rather than online, according to a 2009 survey by ProtectMyID.com. And 87 percent of all respondents in a survey by the ITRC reported some level of concern about the safety of their personal identifying and financial information when shopping, paying bills or banking online. In the ProtectMyID survey, 74 percent of people 55 to 64 said they felt in-store shopping is safer than buying online. Yet experts agree that most identity theft occurs in more traditional ways, such as going through a person’s mail or trash, or even peeping over someone’s shoulder to snag a PIN number at the ATM.

Fortunately, you can do a lot to stop identity theft – both the high- and low-tech kinds — this holiday season. Here are some important tips to help you protect yourself, both online and in a store this holiday season:

* Beware of shoulder surfers  when shopping in a store. Identity thieves may stand close behind you when you pay at a checkout counter or use an ATM. Protect your credit cards, driver’s license and checkbook from wandering eyes.

* Be aware of your surroundings. Pickpocketing increases noticeably during the holidays. Keep a close eye on your belongings in crowded malls and stores.

* Never take your eyes off your credit card when you hand it over to pay. Unscrupulous store clerks may use a “skimming” device that downloads your information. Make sure your card gets swiped only once, through one machine and the swipe takes place in front of you. If a clerk turns his or her back on you and conceals your view of the swipe in any way, ask for your card back immediately.

* Minimize what you carry in your purse or wallet when shopping in a store. Carry only what you will need – your ID and one major credit card, or the card for the specific store you’re shopping in. And never leave your purse, backpack or handbag unzipped, which makes it easy for thieves to slip a hand in and lift your wallet out.

* Consider enrolling in an identity theft protection product, like ProtectMyID. Not only will you be able to monitor your credit report daily, you’ll receive alerts via e-mail, text or mail whenever something changes on your credit reports, such as an address or an application for a new line of credit. Experienced fraud resolution agents provide personal assistance in resolving identity theft issues if your identity is compromised, and even help in the event of a lost or stolen wallet.

* When shopping online, keep printouts and receipts for your Web purchases. Use a credit card instead of a debit card, and make sure the site you’re buying from is on a secure server. Look for familiar insignia, like the closed lock, that indicates a site has security measures in place.

* Be sure to protect your home PC or laptop with security software, including anti-virus software and a firewall.

* Shop at trusted sites, or those recommended by secure comparison shopping sites, such as PriceGrabber.com.

(ARA) – In many parts of the country, winter can test even the most seasoned driver’s skills with sudden road and weather changes. In ideal circumstances you have warning of what Old Man Winter might bring for the day, but many times wet roads can become icy and a few flurries can become a snowstorm without any warning at all.

While you can’t avoid unforeseeable weather changes, you can make sure your car  is maintained and ready for winter driving. From using a radiator coolant additive to carrying an emergency breakdown kit in your trunk, here are some tips to prepare your vehicle for winter driving:

Check your battery: Instead of landing on your “I Forgot” list, put this one at the top. Make sure your battery posts and connections are free of corrosion and that the battery has the water it needs. If your battery is older than three years, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge.

Belts and hoses: When you’re having your vehicle serviced, make the mechanic checks the belts and hoses for wear and tear, regardless of the age of your car. Cold weather can also affect the belts and hoses of a modern car, so an inspection can’t hurt.

Have the right antifreeze mix: You will want to aim for a 50-50 mix of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your radiator. This prevents the mixture from freezing at extremely cold temperatures. Or try using a coolant additive like Royal Purple’s Purple Ice that is a high performance, synthetic, radiator coolant additive. Royal Purple recommends a minimum of 20 percent antifreeze concentration be used in street-driven vehicles because Purple Ice has no effect on the boiling and/or freezing point of water. Learn more at www.coolerradiators.com.

Check your four-wheel drive: If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you probably haven’t used it during the summer, so it’s good idea to check the status of your four-wheel drive system. Make sure the system engages and disengages easily and that all the drivers of the vehicle know how and when to use the system.

Get an oil change: When you’re getting your vehicle ready for winter, change the oil using the right viscosity for your vehicle for the time of year. Conventional oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, and if too thick, it won’t properly lubricate your engine. Check your owner’s manual for guidance about which oil to use in different climates and temperatures. Another alternative is to use a synthetic blend or full synthetic motor oil like Royal Purple that will extend the time between oil changes, saving you money and having less impact on the environment.

Emergency preparedness: If you know you’re going to be on the road during the winter months, make sure you have an emergency kit in your trunk. Items you should include in your kit are: a blanket, boots, gloves and warm clothes, water and food including hard candy, ice scraper, small shovel, jumper cables, tool kit, tire chains, tire gauge, spare tire (ready to be used), tire changing equipment, first aid kit, paper towels and abrasive material such as non-clumping cat litter or sand to provide traction in the snow.

With a little preparation, you can ensure you vehicle doesn’t leave you out in the cold this winter.

After you call Stargone Windshield Repair at 951.789.1182 to make an appointment for us to come to your location to repair your vehicle’s windshield, there are a few simple things you can do to get the best possible results.

I know, you thought that once you called us, it was all in our hands to give you a great repair. For the most part, that’s true. Calling Stargone Windshield Repair is by far your best decision of the day!

But you can help yourself even more by following these simple steps:

1. Do NOT get the windshield wet before we get there. This means

a. DO NOT wash the vehicle
b. DO NOT clean the windshield
c. DO park the car in the garage overnight if possible, if our appointment is scheduled for another day. If you cannot park the car in a garage, put some tape over the damaged area to keep moisture out.
d. DO NOT drive in the rain.

2. Keep the vehicle in the shade if possible. There have been several times that we have arrived at a client’s location only to find that the heat of the day has caused the damage to spread beyond what is repairable.

3. Roll the side windows down just slightly, to help keep the heat and pressure from building up inside the cab.

By following these few simple steps, you’ll be doing your part to help insure the best possible windshield repair on your car or truck.

Now you can relax!

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