5 CAR CARE TIPS TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
American Pride Automotive • May 7, 2014
You don’t have to own a Prius to be eco-friendly. Here are a few tips to reduce your impact on the environment while saving money at the pump:
1) Lighten Up! Don’t haul more than you have to in the trunk of your car or bed of your pickup. Keep the spare tire and emergency kit, of course, but take out the toolbox or extra sports equipment if they’re not needed for the trip. Extra weight in the vehicle means increased fuel usage.
2) Keep your car tuned up. A car that’s maintained
operates at maximum efficiency, which means less fuel usage. Clean air filters are especially important. A clogged one can reduce your fuel efficiency by as much as 10%!
3) Check your tire pressure regularly. According to the Car Care Council, around two billion gallons of gas each year could be saved if the tires on every American’s car were properly inflated.
4) Check the gas cap. A loose or missing gas cap allows gas to evaporate, which is bad for the environment and your wallet.
5) Drive right. Fast or aggressive driving, sudden acceleration and sudden stops create wear and tear and also use more fuel than accelerating gently.
For more information or for a car maintenance appointment,call American Pride Automotive
in Williamsburg, Toano, Newport News or Newport News. We’re always happy to help.
Information and Image Source: CarCare.org

You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.