Spring Auto Guide

SpringAUTO GUIDE C04

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2018

REDUCE INSTANCES OF DISTRACTED DRIVING Metro Creative Services Distracted driving is a problem that results in injuries and claims the lives of thousands of people each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts attention from driving. In 2015, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 injured in the United States as a result of distracted driving. Allstate says distracted driving is now the No. 1 risk on Canadian roads, contributing to eight in 10 collisions.

It is relatively easy to avoid becoming a statistic over if they need to send a by reducing distractions text or read a message. behind the wheel.

Put away tech devices

One of the easiest ways to reduce distractions is to keep phones and tablets out of reach while driving. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says sending or reading a text message takes a driver’s eyes off of the road for about five seconds, or long enough to cover a football field while driving at 55 mph. It removes a person’s attention from the road; takes his or her hands off of the wheel; and it mentally engages the brain when a driver’s focus should be on driving.

Devices should be stowed away when driving. Drivers should pull

making phone calls while on the road is an efficient use of time. Yet the Set GPS before trip personal injury experts at Global positioning sys- Lehmbecker Law say even tems have revolutionized when drivers use handsthe way motorists get to free devices their brains and from locations. They can remain distracted for can help signal upcoming 27 seconds after using traffic and find the best voice commands to dial routes possible. a number. Engaging in Just like other devices, phone conversations will GPS can be a distrac- continue to take drivers’ tion, especially if drivers minds off of their driving are taking their eyes off responsibilities. the road and constantly pressing buttons on the Drowsy driving map. Enter the destination is dangerous address before departBeing tired can be a ing and place the GPS in distraction as well. Geico a position that it can be insurance reports a U.S. glanced at, which will not government study showed impede vision. Better yet, that 37 percent of drivers let a passenger navigate. have nodded off or actually fallen asleep at least once Limit or skip while driving. Drowsiphone calls ness increases the risk of Many people find that a crash by roughly four

times. Those who become drowsy behind the wheel should pull over.

Skip infotainment package

New vehicle infotainment systems can take one’s attention off of the road for long periods of time. According to research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers using invehicle technologies like voice-based and touchscreen features may find themselves unusually distracted.

In addition to these tips, drivers can reduce the number of passengers contributing to distractions, turn down the volume on the radio, and pull over when eating on the road. Reducing distractions can save lives.

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reduced, adversely affecting vehicle emissions.

Clean filters increase air flow to the engine, reducing vehicle emissions as a result. Clean air filters also can help drivers get more out of their vehicle investments. Designed to trap dirt and debris, clean air filters prolong engine life by preventing such particles from damaging engine components. Drivers can check their owners’ manuals for air filter replacement guidelines, but manufacturers generally advise drivers change their air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

Such a repair is inexpensive but can go a long way toward ensuring vehicles operate as efficiently as possible

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Metro Creative Services Cars and trucks can benefit greatly from clean air filters. Many drivers are aware of the need to change the oil in their vehicles according to the intervals designated in their owners’ manuals, but few may be aware of the many benefits of changing air filters. One such benefit pertains to fuel efficiency. The automotive website CarsDirect. com notes that studies have shown that changing clogged air filters can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent and save drivers as much as 15 cents per gallon of fuel. Clean air filters also can benefit the environment. When vehicle air filters are clogged, air flow to the engine is

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SpringAUTO GUIDE C05

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2018

4 simple ways to PROTECT VEHICLE PAINT FINISH extend the life of your vehicle Perhaps nothing ages a car or truck more than a lackluster exterior finish. Even if vehicles are only a few years old, failure to maintain the paint, tires and chrome accents can make them look worn beyond their years, potentially affecting resale value.

The environment can be a vehicle’s worst enemy.

Protecting a car means being mindful of substances and habits that can compromise the exterior finish.

1. Drive defensively.

Aggressive driving is dangerous and can have adverse effects on a vehicle. When driving, always obey posted speed limits and avoid accelerating and decelerating quickly.

Such a style of driving can strain vehicle engines and drive trains while negatively affecting fuel efficiency and wearing down brakes, states the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence.

3. Routinely check tire pressure.

Many of today’s new vehicles alert drivers when tire pressure is low.

Drivers should not ignore such warnings, as low tire pressure can affect engine performance by forcing it to work harder than should be necessary. Engines that are forced to work harder than they need to likely won’t last as long as those that 2. Maintain a clean run efficiently. Low tire pressure also negativevehicle.

Car washes do more than ly affects fuel efficiency, just clean a vehicle. Rou- potentially costing drivers

substantial amounts of money over time. Drivers of older vehicles without tire pressure alerts should routinely check tire pressure and keep tires adequately inflated.

Vehicles that are slow to accelerate from resting positions may not have enough air in their tires.

4. Adhere to maintenance guidelines.

Drivers may have heard that today’s vehicles were built to go longer periods of time between oil changes and tuneups than the vehicles of yesteryear.

But drivers should still adhere to manufacturerrecommended maintenance guidelines. Upon buying new vehicles, drivers should read their owners’ manuals to determine recommended maintenance intervals, and stick to those intervals for as long as they have their vehicles.

Cognizant of the sizable investments they’re making when buying new vehicles, many drivers want to get as many miles out of their vehicles as possible. Simple maintenance and safe driving habits can go a long way toward keeping vehicles on the road for years to come.

Wash and dry

It’s important to routinely wash vehicles to protect their exterior finish. Use a mild cleanser designed for automobiles and a clean rag or sponge so as not to cause scratchSeek shade es that can cause further Over time, the sun can damage. Because minerals damage a vehicle’s paint in tap water can be left job through oxidation and behind through evaporapremature fading. People tion and may oxidize and who live in areas with damage the paint, it’s best especially warm climates to wipe away as much may see the paint on their residual moisture as posvehicles suffer consider- sible with a chamois. able damage thanks to the sun.

Paint protection One of the easiest ways Waxing can prevent bird

droppings, berries, splattered bugs, and more from sticking to the paint and wearing down the finish.

Waxes come in paste, liquid and spray. Each type has a different reapplication schedule, so drivers should consult the product instructions.

Vehicle owners also can invest in spray films to further protect painted surfaces. Do-it-yourself products are applied like a spray and then dry to an invisible, durable film.

This helps protect against insects, gravel, sand, winter salt, and even road grime. Different manufacturers offer protection films.

It is important to safeguard the exterior of a vehicle to help it look newer longer, protecting the value of the car or truck while also protecting it against the elements.

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tine washing and waxing can remove dirt that, if left on a vehicle, can gradually scratch paint and contribute to chips and rust. Over time, rust can affect vehicle performance and may even compromise the safety of drivers and their passengers if bad enough frame rust affects structural integrity. Routine washing also can remove road salt from vehicles. Salt can build up during winter when roads are routinely treated during and after snowstorms. Road salt can be extremely corrosive and, if left unremoved from a vehicle, can contribute to rust that ultimately can cause extensive damage to a vehicle.

Metro Creative Services Automobiles are significant investments. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price for light vehicles was $34,968 in January 2017, marking a 3 percent increase from just a year earlier.

The decision to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle is not one consumers should take lightly. Once drivers purchase their new vehicles, they can protect their investments and get greater returns on those investments by prioritizing maintenance and taking simple yet effective steps to extend the lives of their cars and trucks.

to protect a vehicle from the sun is to use sheltered parking or park in the shade whenever possible.

This can help protect the paint, headlights and trim.

Drivers should store cars in their garages overnight and during daylight hours when they are home.

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SpringAUTO GUIDE C06

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2018

WHAT CAR COLORS MAY SAY ABOUT DRIVERS ceive themselves (and how others view them) based on their color choices in vehicles, courtesy of Pantone, NerdWallet, Thrillist, and Today.com.

• White: This color - perhaps thanks to the popularity of Apple products - can often project a persona of a diligent, hardworking person. White is a dependable color that also is sleek and modern. Many people who prefer white also like the purity of the color and its perceived cleanliness.

• Black: Black vehicles have stood the test of time as status symbols. Those who purchase black cars may view them as classic and powerful. Black also conveys elegance. That’s why limousines and hired cars are often black.

• Silver: Silver cars may have futuristic connotations because of their metallic hues. Silver vehicles also can be elegant and prestigious. A certain

Cars and trucks may be modes of transportation, but many people see their vehicles as extensions of their personalities.

The color of a vehicle can say a lot about its driver. In fact, automotive experts say color affects drivers’ decisions when they’re buying new vehicles. In 2015, a survey from PPG Automotive Coatings found the color palette of black, silver, gray, and white makes up 75 percent of new cars on the road. White has been the most popular car color for years, perhaps because neutral tones tend to look new for years, improving resale value as a result.

The Pantone Color Institute periodically highlights popular trends in colors for home decorating, graphic design, fashion, and much more. Their experts know a thing about what color can say about a person. Here’s a look at how drivers may per-

element of modernity is associated with silver cars and trucks.

• Gray: People who choose gray vehicles may be less concerned about status and more interested in a vehicle that blends in with the crowd. This no-nonsense hue could be ideal for cautious, evenkeeled drivers who like to go with the flow.

• Blue: Light blue to mid-blue cars convey a sense of calm and coolness. Blue is a dependable color and may indicate the person behind the wheel is friendly. Dark blue can be a confidence-booster and also signal authority, as many police cruisers and law enforcement uniforms feature deep blue.

• Red: People who own red cars probably like flash and attention. They’re likely magnetic personalities who enjoy standing out in a crowd.

• Brown/beige: These earth-toned shades may

indicate a person who is not pretentious, but easygoing and fiscally responsible. Reliability and comfort is prized above flashiness for those who go brown and beige.

• Green: Green cars

peaked in the 1990s, so fewer green cars may be on the road today than in the past.

Vehicle colors may say a lot about the people behind the wheel.

indicate owners who have a very strong sense of self and care little about what others think of them.

They may be the people who march to the beat of their own drums. But the popularity of green cars

Did you know?

According to a survey from AutoList.com, when buying vehicles, millennials are more likely to consider the environmental impacts of a car than those who belong to Generation X. The survey found Gen Xers prioritize price, reliability and brand when purchasing a car. While millennials may place significant emphasis on vehicles’ environmental impact, they do not intend to keep their vehicles for very long, as nearly half of millennial survey respondents acknowledged they plan to keep their cars for five years or less. Meanwhile, among the survey respondents who belonged to Generation X, one-third planned to their cars for 10 years or longer. The AutoList survey also found differences between the cars millennials prefer compared to their Generation X counterparts.

Perhaps not surprisingly, millennials, many of whom are just beginning their professional lives, prefer small, inexpensive

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vehicles, while members of Generation X, who are no doubt more established professionally and more financially secure as a result, prefer slightly more expensive vehicles.

But the differences may not be that significant, as the survey found that millennials like the Honda Civic, while Generation X members prefer the Honda Accord.

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