Summer Newsletter

Are you thinking about taking a vacation this summer? Many travelers are taking to the road instead of flying because of the cost of traveling with a family and staying closer to home. Driving can be a less expensive mode of transportation if you prepare ahead of time by getting your vehicle checked by an America's Same Day Service Center Technician.

A few simple maintenance tips can ensure that your highway cruising is trouble free, efficient and healthy. For instance, spark plugs are the lifeblood of an engine, and replacing worn spark plugs with a fresh set of spark plugs will make even a tired engine liven up and help keep it running efficiently.

Have your oxygen sensors checked to make sure they are operating correctly. Every new car, and most cars produced after 1980, have an oxygen sensor. The sensor is part of the emissions control system and feeds data to the engine management computer. These sensors help regulate vehicle operating efficiency and play a key role in keeping the vehicle's exhaust emissions within acceptable limits. Replace any oxygen sensors that are worn out to protect the environment and improve operation of your engine.

A fresh air filter will make sure your engine gets just the right amount of clean air it requires - and don't overlook the cabin air filter. This very important filter keeps the air entering the vehicle fresh and clean, and contributes to healthy occupants, especially on long trips or hours in the car.

Consider using synthetic oils. The lubricants you use to keep your car running strong can have a huge impact on how your car takes to the open road. Conventional motor oils may slow starting rpm while restricting oil flow to critical engine parts and increasing wear on bearings and rings. However, synthetic motor oils provide significant performance benefits over their conventional counterparts thanks in large part to their superior resistance to varnish and sludge development. That superior resistance enables engines to run cleaner with synthetics, providing better fuel economy for those long drives while offering more wear protection in the meantime.

Routinely check tire pressure. Poorly inflated tires can be an accident waiting to happen. While nearly everyone can hear a clunky engine or notice smoke coming out from underneath a vehicle's hood, few people ever recognize that their tires are poorly inflated. That's unfortunate, as poorly inflated tires force the engine to work harder, decreasing fuel efficiency and taxing the engine as a result. But keeping tires properly inflated is easy. Simply consult your vehicle manual for recommended tire pressure, and keep the tires at the recommended level. Though it might not seem like much, drivers will instantly notice a difference in their vehicle's performance, particularly when they hit the open road.

Stick to your maintenance schedule. Vehicle owners can keep their cars running strong this summer by strictly adhering to their vehicle maintenance schedule. This has even gotten easier in recent years, as many vehicle manufacturers are suggesting longer intervals between tune-ups and oil changes, resulting in less trips to the mechanic.

Sticking to the maintenance schedule can also make those Sunday drives more enjoyable. For example, synthetic motor oils can greatly improve a vehicle's performance by reducing friction and wear, making a vehicle more fun to drive while increasing its engine's life expectancy at the same time.

Call America's Same Day Service Center today for an appointment to bring your automobile in before you travel. We will make sure your car is in top condition for your summer fun.

Bring something for the kids to do in the car. While parents might enjoy hitting the open road, kids often get bored the longer a trip is, and that can lead to frequent and costly pitstops. Parents can prepare for that inevitable boredom and avoid such stopovers by bringing some entertainment along for the kids. Portable DVD players are relatively inexpensive and can keep kids occupied on long trips. For those renting a vehicle for their trip, inquire at the rental agency as to the availability of vehicles with built-in DVD players.

Parents can also employ more traditional road trip fare by playing some favorite games such as the License Plate Game, I Spy or 20 Questions to make a trip more fun for adults and children alike.

When the route for a given trip includes long stretches of driving on the same highway, turn on the cruise control. This will ensure your vehicle remains at a safe and steady speed while improving fuel efficiency.

Visit family or friends en route to your destination. Those heading out on an extended weekend getaway can save money on hotels or meals by calling family and friends and either staying overnight or simply visiting for a meal. Grandma and Grandpa would no doubt appreciate a visit and might even offer to let you stay the night and save the expense of a costly hotel.

Don't get lost. While no one plans on getting lost, it does happen, even in the current day and age when GPS systems and cell phones enable drivers to easily access the Internet and get directions. And getting lost can prove costly if you end up driving around looking for the right way to go.

If you don't have a GPS system, print out directions and be sure to bring them along for the trip. Also, when printing out directions ahead of time, look for alternate routes that might save time and, as a result, money. Visit different Web sites to see if one offers substantially shorter routes than another. The disparity between recommended driving routes might be greater than you think.

Pre-pack lunches and snacks. Instead of stopping along the way for lunch, pre-pack lunches. This can help save money and also allows parents to plan healthier meals, as many roadside restaurants are fast food joints that kids might love but parents certainly don't. When packing lunches, let the kids pack a few items for themselves. This will make them enjoy the meals more and help them forget about the meals they're not getting from their favorite fast food restaurants.