Driver's Tips

Beyond the oil change

Your new vehicle is designed to be reliable and provide long-lasting vehicle performance. However, there are things you can do to make your new car, truck, van, SUV or crossover  perform even better, especially in light of rising gas prices.

Maximize Your Mileage

  • When you drive a little faster, you burn considerably more fuel. Slow down and increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
  • Once you’re out on the highway at cruising speed, use your vehicle’s cruise control. You’ll burn less fuel if you do.
  • Slow down for hills. Maintaining your speed up a hill means opening your vehicle’s throttle, which burns more gas. On down hills, use gravity to help increase speed and improve fuel economy.
  • Accelerate only when you have to, and only as much as you need to. Avoid jackrabbit starts, bring your vehicle to speed with a light right foot, and maintain smooth progress on the road.
  • For slowing down or stopping, get off the gas as soon as you can. Use your brakes when you need to, but allow the other forces working on your vehicle to help slow you down.
  • Whenever you can, keep your windows closed to decrease drag. For climate control, use your vehicle’s air conditioning. It’s the lesser of two evils.
  • Rooftop containers have extremely negative effects on a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Remove them when not in use.

Enhance Your Ownership Experience

  • The most important thing you can do to keep your vehicle running well is to change the engine oil on schedule. And remember to use the proper grade motor oil and a genuine vehicle oil filter.
  • Regularly replace worn out wiper blades to ensure a clear view of the road under all conditions.
  • Being able to stop your vehicle is a critical part of driving. Inspect your brakes at regular intervals according to your vehicle's recommended maintenance schedules.
  • Your battery should be checked periodically to ensure you've got the power necessary to start your vehicle under any circumstance.
  • Keep an eye on tire pressure - losing just a few pounds of pressure in your tires can hurt fuel economy and shorten tire life significantly.
  • Be aware that the stop-and-go nature of urban and suburban driving is harder on your vehicle than steady long-distance driving.
  • Read your owner's manual. It will tell you everything you need to know about your vehicle including maintenance intervals.
  • Check your vehicle's Scheduled Maintenance Guide.

Be Careful

We care about our customers' safety so we have provided a few safety reminders for drivers of all ages. While owning a new car can be fun and exciting, it is important to us that drivers think about safety first.

  • Get in the habit of glancing at the rear and side view mirrors every 30 seconds or so. Those who develop this habit seldom get involved in fender-bender accidents and have the greatest ability to get out of the way if being overtaken by a speeding vehicle.
  • Seatbelts, seatbelts, seatbelts!
  • Don't tailgate. Doing so isn't a question of if you get into a crash, but when.
  • Limit distractions while driving
  • Look out the windshield! You don't have to face your passengers when you talk to them.
  • If the cell phone rings, pull over to answer it. If you're going at highway speeds don't bother answering it. If you're sitting in traffic tell the caller that you'll call back after you finish your drive.
  • Drinking and driving never mix and never will. Don't do it.
  • If you're drowsy, pull into a 24-hour store or gas station and get a soda or coffee. If necessary, lock the doors and take a short nap, but phone home to tell someone where you are.
  • Never text while driving.