Car Smarts

• Drive less and save more by planning ahead. Make a list and plan weekly errands based on destination and timing. Always take the shortest route and when possible, avoid driving during rush hour.
• Carpool with coworkers who live in your neighborhood. This not only saves gas, it reduces wear and tear on your car.
• Go the speed limit or slower; the faster you drive the more fuel your car requires.
• Drive with steady hands and steady feet. The smooth operation of your car actually impacts fuel usage.
• Idling cars waste fuel. Most cars today are fuel injected, which means it's not necessary to "warm it up" more than sixty seconds, even in cold weather.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated at all times and keep the wheels aligned. You'll get better gas mileage and a longer life span out of your tires.

• Switching your headlights on during the day increases the chances you'll be seen, and studies show that it reduces the risk of multivehicle crashes by as much as 11%.
• Drive-thru fast food is risky, and not just because of the calories. Reaching for an on-the-go munchie can take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your attention away from driving. Your cell phone is also trouble--even if it's hands-free. Distractions of this type contribute to a quarter of all reported automobile crashes.
• Trade your pine tree car freshener for one laced with the scent of cinnamon or peppermint. These aromas increase drivers' alertness, note researchers at Wheeling Jesuit University
• Not sure if you've secured your child's car seat properly? Get a pro to tell you. Powhatan's Sherriff department can inspect and advise it for you.
• Even if you get an oil change every 3 months or 3,000 miles, break out the dipstick about once a week. Just be sure that the car is cool and sitting on level ground; if the oil mark is below the halfway point, add a quart. Every 6 months and only when the engine is cool, assess your levels of coolant. It's in the translucent plastic container in the engine compartment; the marks on the side indicate if you're getting low.

• Follow your vehicle's manufacturer's mainenance schedule.
• Listen for unusual noises that may be the tell tale signs of a pending mechanical failure.
• Visually look under your hood. Do you see leaks or hoses that seem to have bulges? If so, get them replaced.
• Emissions are very important, have them checked at the scheduled intervals.
• Fluid changes keep all of your parts operating in the manner in which they were intended. This includes coolants as well as lubricants.
• Ignitions systems can go bad over time. Have them checked often so you are not stranded.