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Not all tire are equal. Depending on the time of year, you should consider switching your tires to either snow, summer, or all-season tires to keep yourself safe on the road. Learn more about the differences among these tires and why it's so essential to make the switch every season. Snow Tires Snow tires are obviously meant for you to use in the cold, winter months. They're specially equipped to handle the unique problems facing drivers during wintry weather, such as black ice, freezing temperatures, and snowy roads. They provide this superior protection in several ways. more First, snow tires have different rubber than summer or all-season tires. These warmer-weather tires are made of stiffer rubber that freezes faster when the temperature drops. On the other hand, winter tires have more flexible rubber that stays malleable even when the temperature goes below freezing. This gives you more traction on the road. Second, snow tires come with deeper tread and different tread patterns. This prevents snow from getting stuck in the tread by channeling it away from the tire instead of compacting it. Finally, the treads also come with biting edges that provide additional traction on slippery surfaces. Summer Tires If you're looking for a high-performance tire, you'll probably want a summer tire. These tires typically come with larger tread blocks as well as a stiffer rubber, which gives you more traction and tighter control over steering in warmer weather. They also have less grooving in the tread, so more of the rubber is on the road at any given point. Generally, they're your top choice for speed and agility. Additionally, because summer tires have enhanced aspect ratios, widths, and rim diameters, they are better for driving in wet weather. You'll be able to enjoy better performance even when it's raining. All-Season Tires While they don't offer the high performance of summer tires or the cold-weather help of winter tires, all-season tires are a good option if you live in a mild climate or don't have the financial means to switch your tires during the year. They won't give you optimum performance in snow or ice or when making hairpin turns at top speeds, but they're adequate enough to keep you safe in most conditions. All-season tires come with moderate tread depths that are deeper than summer tires, meaning the tread will last longer. They also have the biggest variety of load capacities, models, speed ratings, and sizes, making them ideal for myriad vehicles. As for winter weather, they can provide you with enough traction to get by. However, if you anticipate bad weather, you're better off switching to winter tires. As you can see, choosing the right tires for your vehicle is essential for maintaining control while on the road. You never know what kind of conditions you might face, so be sure to switch your tires when it's seasonally appropriate. Wintry weather or heavy rainstorms can pop out of nowhere, so don't leave yourself unprepared. " New Tires " by kalebdf is licensed by CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

We’re heading into a New Year, and almost everyone is thinking of a way to improve their life, whether with fitness, organization, or even managing finances. But what about bettering your automobile? Your vehicle is most likely one of your most valued and relied on possessions, so, why not take every measure to ensure you’re keeping it in tip-top shape throughout the year? Here are a few ideas for New Year’s Resolutions, specifically for your automobile: Keep up with your routine maintenance. Your vehicle’s routine maintenance is one of the easiest things to overlook—whether it’s not having the time to have maintenance addressed, or the money. Although it’s easy to neglect, it’s also one of the most important aspects of your vehicle’s longevity and can help you save money and time, in the long run. Schedule an appointment with our Service Department to have your routine maintenance addressed. Keep your vehicle’s interior and exterior clean. Although it’s tough to maintain the cleanliness of your vehicle, especially in the colder months, you may feel better if you do. Having a clean vehicle may help reduce stress, especially if your vehicle tends to get cluttered easily. Keep up with your neglected maintenance. Have a rattling noise that’s been driving you crazy for a while, but haven’t had it looked at yet? Bring your car in for Service, and let our experts help you pin-point the problem, before it becomes a bigger problem. Schedule regular check-ups. Just like your physical health, it’s important to keep tabs on your vehicle’s health. Schedule regular appointments to have your car checked, to ensure everything is in working order.

It’s December, which means snow, sleet, and ice in our area can arrive at any time. We thought it might be useful to share some tips for driving in winter weather, especially if you're traveling out of town for the Holidays! Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Be sure that you gradually ease into the gas or break when the roads are slick, to avoid spinouts. Drive slowly. Even if the roads aren’t terrible, black ice paired with speed can be a recipe for disaster. Be sure to slow down and take your time when the temperature is below freezing. Increase your spacing between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. Allow for plenty of stopping room, in the event that your car begins to slide. Test your brakes before you get out on the roadway. Come to a few harsh stops in your driveway, before you venture out, to test the road conditions and your brakes with the slippery roads. If you can avoid it, don’t come to a complete stop. If you can safely coast through an intersection without having to come to a stop, or to make a turn, you’re likely to keep traction longer than if you stop completely. Slow and steady wins the race. When faced with a hill, don’t hit the gas too fast and try to gain too much speed. Take your time, drive slowly and steadily until you reach the top of the hill. If you can avoid it, stay inside. Allow road crews to treat the roadways before you get behind the wheel. Driving in winter weather can be frightening, especially if you don’t do it very often. Take these tips along for the ride, and stay safe, if you can’t stay off the roads. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our Service Department, to ensure your car is ready for the quickly approaching winter weather!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, along with the busiest travel holiday of the year! If you’ve traveled on this holiday in the past, you know that planning is key to a seamless, relaxing trip, and we’ve got just the list to keep you organized this year! Stay Connected – Download the latest travel apps for your phone before you hit the road—Spotify is a great channel for music, Waze will help with traffic, and Citymapper will be your best-bet for navigation! Travel Late or Early – Instead of sitting in a huge mess of traffic this year, leave in the middle of the night, or early in the morning to avoid traffic jams—you’ll get to where you’re going much faster, and your passengers will thank you… especially if you have kids! Pack Wisely – Make sure to bring temperature-appropriate clothing, shoes, and coats, especially if you’re heading north or to the mountains! Have Your Car Serviced – Make sure that all of your fluid levels are topped off, your brakes, lights work properly, and that your car is up to date on all routine maintenance including oil changes and tires. Contact our Service Department to set up an appointment to have your car prepared for your road trip! Have Travel Documents on Hand – Be sure to carry your Insurance Card, Roadside Assistance information, and any other vital information, in case of emergency. Make All Stops at Once – If you have children, it might be challenging trying to travel with the constant stopping for bathroom breaks, food, and drinks, but, if you stop in a place where you can use the restroom, grab a sandwich and a bottle of water, all in one place, you’re guaranteed to save time instead of loading and unloading everyone into and out of the car at each place. Visit us online to schedule your appointment with our Service Department, to ensure your vehicle is up-to-par for your Thanksgiving travel. Buckle up, and enjoy the ride!

In a world where generating income is so important, you may be wondering if there are ways to earn some money with your car. You've probably heard of independent taxi services, but there are many other ways you can earn as a driver. You can also earn with your car while you rest at home! Here are four ways that drivers can earn money with their vehicles. Become an Independent Cabby There are many ways you can help other people get around town while earning some money. Two of the most popular and lucrative independent cab services are Uber and Lyft. Independent cabby services allow you to set your own schedule and pick up rides when and where you want. more Deliver the Goods There are a few services that focus on delivering goods rather than driving passengers around town. These include AmazonFlex, UberEATS, and EatStreet. Note that AmazonFlex drivers must have a four-door car or sedan. There are plenty of options for delivering purchased goods to someone's home, but if you have a truck or SUV, you can use that extra utility to transport larger items and earn some cash. This is something that Uber drivers can do, and companies like Task Rabbit also provide these services. If you have a Cadillac SRX or another quality SUV, this may be perfect for you. Advertise Using Your Car If you log lots of miles on your car as a daily commuter, are a good driver, have a newer vehicle that's in good shape, and are in or near a big city, you can receive money by having your car wrapped in advertisements. All you need to do is drive around! Here are a few reputable companies that provide this service: Wrapify Pay Me for Driving Autowrapped The income potential depends on how much of your car is covered in advertisements and several other factors. Partial and full advertisement options are available. Rent Your Car Do you not put many miles on your car? Or are there days of the week where it sits unused? You can optimize those hours by renting out your car to other drivers. Two companies that provide this service are RelayRides and FlightCar. With RelayRides, customers agree to rent your car and pick it up at whatever location you select. This can be at your home while you enjoy a day off, or it can be at your office, allowing you to generate some income while you're at work. Another option is FlightCar. Through this service (which is available in select cities), you simply drive to the airport and register with the company. If someone rents your vehicle while you're on vacation, you'll earn based on the miles driven. This is a great option for those who own a luxury vehicle, such as a Cadillac. Whether you have extra time and want to drive people around or deliver supplies, are willing to turn your vehicle into an ad space, or want to rent it out when you aren't using it, there are many ways to earn revenue through your car. Consider the options above, and check that your car meets any requirements when you apply. " Uber: pro e contro della start-up avversata dai tassisti " by automobileitalia is licensed by CC BY 2.0

If your car's air conditioning system isn't delivering quite as much cool air as you'd like, you may be looking for ways to lower the temperature on hot, summer days. more Tint the Windows Cars get really hot when they're parked in the sun all day, so if you don't have covered parking at your house or where you work, you may want to invest in window tinting. The darker coating on the windows can keep some of the sun's rays out, reducing the heat of the interior. Check the local laws in your area before you get the windows tinted though, since some states and cities restrict drivers from tinting the front windows or have a set requirement for transparency levels of the glass. If you don't want to pay for full window tinting, or it's illegal where you live, grab a foldable sunshade and keep it in your windshield whenever you're parked in an uncovered space. Cover Dark Upholstery Dark upholstery, dashboards, and steering wheels tend to trap heat, making the cabin feel a lot hotter when you climb in on a summer day. Use light-colored covers for the seats and steering wheel to reduce the warmth of the surface. Doing so can also reduce discomfort when you touch the hot steering wheel. Park in the Shade Whenever possible, look for parking spaces near trees or other shaded areas. The inside of a car parked in direct sunlight can get up to 120 degrees or higher in just a couple of hours. Reducing how much sunshine can come through the windows can make a big difference in keeping it cooler. Use Ice If you're up to try something a bit old-fashioned, try keeping a container of ice next to the ventilation system in your car. As the ice melts, you may notice a cooling effect that can filter throughout the car when you have the fan running. It's also helpful to have ice nearby when the heat becomes unbearable since you can grab a piece and apply it directly to the back or your neck for an instant cooling effect. Improve Airflow Driving with the windows down when it's hot outside might seem counterintuitive, but this method of air conditioning is known to some drivers as "4-60 AC." The phrase refers to four windows down, going 60 miles per hour to maximize airflow within the cabin. When you're stuck in traffic and not moving very fast, try opening the car's sunroof to get more air flowing throughout the vehicle. Dress for the Weather Even if you're heading to work, you can lighten your outfit on hot summer days and take outerwear with you. Dress in lightweight and light-colored clothing for the car ride, and then change into your work clothes when you arrive. It's also smart to keep some clean clothes in your vehicle in case you get too hot and need to change. Your air conditioner could also benefit from a recharge or tune-up service, helping to keep the car cooler even when it's hot. These tips can help prevent you from getting too uncomfortable when you're driving in the summertime.