5 Things to Know Before Hitting the Road This Summer

By Sondra Forsyth

The experts at RepairPal —a nationwide network of over 1,700 certified, pre-screened auto repair shops on a mission to help you find quality auto repair at a fair price— suggest the following tips to make sure rubber hits the road without any issues:

>> PROPERLY INFLATE TIRES TO IMPROVE GAS MILEAGE BY UP TO 3%
When tires are not properly inflated, it causes fuel efficiency to drop. Plain and simple: more money wasted on gas means less money for your summer BBQ snack list. You can find the proper tire pressure on the driver side door panel or in the owner’s manual.

>> KEEP THE “GAS LAW” IN MIND

The gas gauge should never go below a quarter tank – it shortens the life of the fuel pump and you could be in for costly repairs down the road!

>> DIRTY AIR FILTERS WASTE YOUR FUEL AND DAMAGE YOUR CAR

Replacing your air filter regularly is a simple—yet often overlooked—procedure that costs drivers lots in wasted fuel and damaged system components.

>> WHAT TO DO IF YOU WIND UP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD?

Don’t stress! If you do have car trouble on the road, visit repairpal.com to find nearby shops with comprehensive training, quality tools, warranties, and fair pricing that will help you get back to your vacation quick. You’ll also find their Fair Price Estimator tool that tells you what any kind of repair will cost. Every RepairPal Certified shop honors the prices shown on the Fair Price Estimator. How’s that for a breath of fresh air on a hot summer day!