Patriot Buick GMC
104 Sturbridge Rd. Route 20 Charlton, MA 01507Sales: (888) 853-7528
- Service: (888) 893-1355
- Parts: (888) 875-3022
Here are a couple of Tips you should check out to help you save time, money and any troubles...
PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT
AGAINST ROAD SALT
During the winter months, road salt is a savior for many drivers. The salt-and-sand combinations used by many communities, when applied within a few hours after a snow storm, reduce accidents by as much as 88.3%, according to a study done by Marquette University.1 When salt is added to the road ways, it's molecules prevent the water molecules from creating the solid bond created when water freezes.2 The sand helps to keep the salt on the roadway, and to provide some traction. While it does improve roads, salt does not create perfectly safe roadways; there is always the chance for an accident, and safe driving practices must always be observed on wet and slushy roads.
When a vehicle rusts, generally it is rusting from the inside of the vehicle to the outside, where there is not any paint to protect the metal. This is why you will see paint bubbles on the outside of a car before any rust. When salt and water are in contact with the various metals of a vehicle, the salt and water molecules will cause the metals to oxidize at a quicker pace. With the average cost of a vehicle being $26,300 in the second quarter of 20093, and with the average cost per mile at $0.544, it is important to maintain your investment during the winter months, when road salt is used most prevalently.
Here are some tips and tricks to follow during the winter months to help ease road salt corrosion on a vehicle.
- The biggest deterrent to salt damage is to wash your car frequently.
- Wash your vehicle every ten days or even less.
- If the temperature is 40° Fahrenheit or above, take the time to wash your vehicle.
- The best time to wash your vehicle is during the day, so that there is time for it to dry before temperatures drop below freezing for the night.
- After washing your vehicle, open all the doors, the trunk, gas cover door, and use the locks several times before any excess water has a chance to freeze.
- Be sure to wash the undercarriage of your vehicle. Remember, most salt corrosion happens from the inside of the vehicle!
- Wax your vehicle every six months or so to create a protective layer against acid rain/snow. Apply a coat right before the winter months to help protect the exterior paint against salt.
- If there are any paint chips larger than the size of a pen tip, be sure to repair them before the metal oxidizes, therefore creating the opportunity for water and salt to corrode the metal from the outside.
- Avoid driving in large puddles where salt water can accumulate.5
Rust proofing a new vehicle immediately after purchase is another option. This should not be done to used vehicles because the process can trap dirt and excess moisture, therefore causing increased corrosion. By following these tips, your investment will stand with you for as it is needed.
~Check out more information on how to protect your investment (click on picture below) with Xzilon, the Ultimate Auto Protection; it's an exterior, fabric, carpet, vinyl and leather protector to help save the life or your vehicle!
-Heather Topolski
TommyCar Auto Group
December 23, 2009
Sources:
- "Benefits of road salt." Roadway Safety. 2009. Salt Institute, Web.
2. Senese, Fred. "Why Does Salt Melt Ice." General Science Online!. 07 31 2007.
3. Calogera, Stephen. "Average price of a vehicle purchased in the 2nd quarter was $26,300." egmCarTech. 08 19 2009. Comercia Bank, Web.
4. "Your Driving Costs." AAA Association Communication 2009: 2. Web.
5. "Protecting Your Car From Road Salt." Autotropolis. 2008. Autotropolis, Inc., Web.
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~Cold Weather and your wiper blades~
The wipers detach when they are forced to move heavy snow or ice. It is a normal defense mechanism built into your wiper blade system to prevent the wiper motor from burning out. In order to avoid this, make sure when you are expecting snow or ice you:
1. Always check to see that your wipers are off before you shut down your vehicle. If not , they will automatically turn on when you start your car.
2. Physically lift your wipers up when you turn off your vehicle. This will stop them from getting buried under the snow and ice.
3. Turn on your defroster when you start your vehicle.
4. Scrape your windshield before turning on your wipers.
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10 Ways You Can Save Gas
1. Go the speed limit. Use cruise control.
· Speed limits are calculated for maximum safety - they'll also reward gas mileage.
· You can get up to 20 percent more mileage traveling 55 mph than 70 mph.
· Using cruise control provides additional gas savings
2. Drive evenly. Avoid hard stops.
· Quick starts burn gas while hard stops also cost you. Take your foot off the accelerator and coast a bit before stopping for a traffic light or a stop sign.
3. Avoid idling and rush hour traffic.
· You're burning fuel while idling - up to a gallon every hour. So, avoid rush hour traffic when possible.
4. Open windows at slow speeds. Use A/C on highways.
· Around town, turn your air conditioning off and roll down the windows.
· On the highway, open windows create drag at speeds of 40mph or more, so roll them up and use the air.
5. Remove junk from the trunk.
· Added weight in your vehicle affects fuel economy, so take unnecessary items out of your trunk.
· If your roof rack is not in use it is a good idea to store it instead of leaving it on your vehicle.
6. Fill up when it's cool and before holidays.
· Cooler temperatures in the early morning or late evening create fewer vapors.
· Also, getting a fill-up three days before a holiday will help you save on the per-gallon price at the pump
7. Don't top off gas and tighten the cap.
· When buying gas, stop when the pump shuts off automatically.
· Remember, your tank needs both fuel and fumes, so tighten the gas cap after every fill-up.
8. Use the correct fuel grade.
· Use the fuel grade recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
9. Don't accelerate up hill.
· Build up speed before an incline, and then maintain it on the way up.
· Coast on the way down for additional fuel economy.
10. Properly maintain vehicle to get optimal fuel economy.
· Air filters: make sure you change your air filter at the end of its recommended lifespan. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve a vehicles gas mileage by up to 10 percent
· Engine performance: enhance fuel economy performance by having engines turned and spark plugs replaced according to manufactures recommended schedule. Single misfiring spark plug can cut fuel economy by up to 4 percent.
· Brakes: improperly maintained brakes can result in an unwanted drag. This resistance can have the same effect as driving with a foot on the brake pedal.
· Warning lights: ignoring these indicators may result in poor fuel economy performance and require expensive repairs.
· Tire ware: replacing worn tires with a manufacturer- recommended size and style can save hundreds of dollars a year.
· Tire inflation pressure: keeping tired inflated to at least the manufacturer recommended pressure can improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent.
· Transmission: properly operating modern transmissions and drive components are critical to vehicle fuel economy performance.