spring car care

Addison Independent, Thursday, April 4, 2013 — Spring Car Care Special Section — PAGE 5B

Tire Mail-in Rebate

Front-end Alignment

Oil Change

Standard Set of Wipers Installed

Tire Change-over

Car Reconditioning

At Denecker Chevrolet, we treat everyone as a guest – not just a customer.

www.deneckerchevrolet.comSales and Showroom: Route 7, Monkton Road • Ferrisburgh, VT 05456 • 802-877-3600

Service and Parts: 14 North Main Street • Vergennes, VT 05491 • 802-877-6409

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ON A SELECT SET OF

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$100 Mail-in Rebate(Debit Card)*

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OIL CHANGEIncludes up to 5 Quarts of engine oil

and new oil filter. Trucks, Diesels and Synthetic oil extra.

Taxes and disposal fees extra.

$2288

TIRE CHANGE-OVERSpring is here!

Change over your summer tires. Includes Mounting & Balancing.

$4988

$1288STANDARD SET OF

WIPERS INSTALLEDValid on one pair of conventional wipers.

Prices may vary by application.

$4488FRONT-END

ALIGNMENTCheck steering, suspension and shocks. Set toe-in, camber

and caster (where applicable). Check tie-rodsand ball joints. Check tire pressure and inspect tire for cuts,

damage, and uneven wear. Price may vary for some models.

$14988

CAR RECONDITIONINGClean the winter salt and grime from your vehicle.

Includes interior reconditioning, exterior clean and hand wax.

Buffing, paint touch up and shampooing extra.

Bourdeau Motors

2007 Ford Focus ZX4 SE5 speed, CD, PWR door locks, windows, mirros, rear defroster, cruise, tilt and good car fax! 63,000 miles. – $8,295

2005 GMC SierraV6, auto, bedliner, tube step running bars, 8 foot box. 106,000 miles.– $6,995

2004 Hyundai Santa FeVery clean...Inside and out. Gold/Brown, 4WD, V-6, auto with leather seats. 94,000 miles. – $7,995

2000 Toyota Tundra SR54x4, V-8, TRD off road package, auto, 4 door cab, PWR windows & door locks, alloy wheels and bed liner. 146,000 miles. – $8,495

1991 Chevy SilveradoK-1500, 4x4, 8’ box, 350 cubic inch, V-8, auto, undercoated, VT state inspected! Drives excellent with new shocks.64,000 miles. – $6,295

2003 Mitsubishi EclipseAutomatic, 4 cylinder with leather seats! PWR moonroof, cruise, tilt wheel & alloy wheels. 154,750 miles. – $3,995

2002 Honda Civic LX4 Cyl., auto, CD player, PWR windows, door locks & mirrors, rear defroster, cruise, tilt and good car fax. – $4,995

2003 Chevy Tracker ZR24WD, V-6, auto, A/C, PWR windows & door locks, cruise, tilt, alloy wheels, VT state inspection, good car fax. 75,000 miles. – $6,795

Call now to make an appt. at 802-382-883825 Schoolhouse Hill Road, East Middlebury, Vermont

Oil undercoat your

vehicle through the

Spring!

~ Reese

Don’t allow your car to sit in rust this summer. Oil undercoat your car

with new clean oil!

Visit

BourdeauMotors.com for our complete inventory!

Spring

An Addison Independent Special SectionCar Care

Up from belowERIC JAMES CHECKS underneath a car in the

Deneker Chevrolet service garage in Vergennes last week.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

(MS) — Many motorists bemoan the myriad costs associated with owning a vehicle. Accord-ing to the National Automobile Dealers Associa-tion, the average price for a new car in the United States is slightly more than $28,000. But as any vehicle owner knows, that sticker price is only the beginning. The cost of maintaining a vehicle and keeping it on the road is not exactly insignificant.

As the economy begins to rebound, a good per-centage of motorists have resolved to keep their vehicles on the road longer in an effort to stretch their automobile dollars. That’s a sound resolu-tion, and one that is not necessarily difficult to accomplish. Contrary to popular belief, cars are built to last, and it’s often a driver’s poor habits that reduce a car’s life expectancy as opposed

Keep your car on the highways

(See Maintenance, Page 7B)

Prevent future costs with maintenance now

InsideKeep your car on the highways .....................5B

Tips to extend your car’s longevity...............7B

County Tire helps stock local food shelves ....8B

Car care wisdom has changed ......................8B

Get the best deal on a used car ....................9B

Extend your vehicle’s life ................................9B

Quit texting while driving ................................9B

Maintain your car’s interior..........................10B

Ask ‘My Plug-in Hybrid Calculator’ .............10B

B — Spring Car Care Special Section — Addison Independent, Thursday, April 4, 2013

BRAKE SPECIALS MANUFACTURERS MAIL-IN REBATE

* When you have brake pads, brake shoes, wheel bearings and/or wheel seals installed at a participating Parts Plus Car Care Center.

Offer expires April 30, 2013

Receive up to $75 in manufacturers rebates toward the cost of qualifying brake service specials.

Addison County’s Oldest Family Owned Tire Shop

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8-5, Sat. 8-Noon Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8-5, Sat. 8-Noon

∆Ecopia tires save fuel based on lab tests versus conventional tires. Specific performance may vary.**Offer good in the U.S. Mail-in claim form required. Terms and Conditions apply to Reward Cards, including a monthly $3.00 service fee beginning 7 months after Card issuance. See Cardholder Agreement. American Express Reward Cards can be used at US merchants that accept American Express® Cards except cruise lines, ATMs, and recurring billing. Visit americanexpress.com/Reward for complete terms. This Card is issued pursuant to a loyalty, reward or other promotional program. Card issued by American Express Prepaid Card Management Corporation. American Express is not a sponsor of this promotion.† Eligible tires: Ecopia EP422, Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia, Turanza Serenity Plus, Dueler A/T REVO 2, Dueler H/P Sport AS, or Potenza RE97 AS. Eligible tires must be purchased from a participating Bridgestone retailer’s inventory between April 1 and April 30, 2013. Certain restrictions and limitations apply. Offer excludes Costco and GM dealership purchases. See your participating Bridgestone retailer, bridgestonetire.com or call 1-877-TIRE USA for complete details.^To receive the Double your American Express Reward Card, customers must purchase a set of 4 eligible tires on their new CFNA credit card account to qualify. The tire purchase requirement must be made within 7 days of opening the new account. The account cannot be closed within the first 7 days of opening the new account. The American Express Reward Card cannot be used to pay any credit card balance. CFNA reserves the right to alter, change or terminate the program at any time.Nissan and CFNA are not sponsors of this sweepstakes.

Addison County’s Oldest Family Owned Tire Shop

Shocks, Struts, Brakes, Tune Ups: Regularly Scheduled Maintenence Will Save $ In The Long Haul!

19A Elm St., Middlebury VT 388-4138

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Where Courtesy & Service Are Not ForgottenMike JamesSales & Leasing Consultant – Toyota Sales

Our Service Department can do all your normal maintenance*

on ANY car or truck you own! Oil Change • Brakes • Exhaust • Inspections

We now have diagnostic equipment for most makes of cars and trucks. Our certified ASE Professional Technicians are ready for all yourcar care needs. Our bodyshop works on all makes and models& works with all insurance companies.

A Well Maintained Vehicle Will Save You Money at the Gas Pump &

Keep You Driving Safely

Give us a call for your Summer Tire ChangeAlignments • Force Balancing of Tires

Since 1924

• Certain Diagnostics and Driveability issues excluded

Service/Recon/Body ShopMon-Fri 8-5 Sat 8-12

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Many states require individuals to purchase vehicle insurance to protect their cars. Car insurance is mandated for good reason- if you get into an accident, you and the other driver involved will be thankful you have coverage. If you are a business owner whose company has a fleet of vehicles, the same auto insurance needs still apply.

We want to be your Vermont car insurance agent of choice. We offer affordable auto insurance rates and discounts, plus maximum benefits and unmatched service. Our insurance agents want to make sure that your auto insurance policy fits your exact needs. From work trucks to classic cars, from minivans to convertibles; we can provide an insurance policy that actually protects your car.

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BOURDONINS!

Nothing under the hoodA CAR AWAITS the return of its engine after Deneker Chevrolet mechanic Shaun Fiske removed it to do

some head gasket work in Vergennes last Thursday morning.Independent photo/Trent Campbell

to the vehicle manufacturer’s product. Drivers can lengthen a vehicle’s lifes-pan by employing preventive mainte-nance that should keep a car running strong for years to come.

Air Filter — When examining the vehicle’s air filter (check the vehicle manual for location), look for dirt or dust buildup. If the filter is filthy, sim-ply replace it. Auto parts stores sell air filters, and most drivers shouldn’t have trouble replacing a filter by them-selves. A dirty air filter can negatively affect fuel economy and make it seem as though a vehicle is constantly going uphill in a stiff wind. When a dirty air filter is replaced, drivers will notice an instant impact in how the car drives and are likely to save a few dollars at the filling station as well.

Belts and Hoses — Issues with belts or hoses are often recognizable to the naked eye, regardless of a driver’s au-tomotive skill. A hose in poor condi-tion can appear bulging or brittle, and should not feel too soft or too hard. If a hose exhibits any of these symptoms, replace it. A belt that’s worn or frayed should also be replaced.

Brake Fluid — One of the more ex-pensive repair jobs on a vehicle is to re-place the brakes. Brakes will need to be replaced over the course of a vehicle’s

lifespan, but drivers should routinely check the vehicle’s brake fluid. Without sufficient brake fluid, the brakes’ lifes-pan decreases dramatically. Checking the brake fluid is easy; simply look in the owner’s manual to find the brake fluid reservoir and remove the lid (some vehicles might require the lid be unscrewed). The reservoir will likely have instructions on the inside advising how much brake fluid should be added. If the fluid is below the line of demar-cation, add fluid up to that line. But be careful not to overfill. Check the brake fluid levels on a monthly basis.

Motor Oil — Oil change guidelines have changed dramatically thanks to better cars and more reliable motor oils. But it still helps to check motor oil levels after every fill up. If motor oil levels are low, add more oil. If oil is significantly low after each fill up, con-sult a mechanic just to be safe.

Exhaust — Once a year, be it at a routine tune-up or should repair work be necessary, ask your mechanic to check the vehicle’s emissions. Failing an emissions test might be against the law, and a failed test could be indica-tive of a larger problem.

In addition, inspect the muffler and exhaust pipe for holes, particularly after winter, when debris from snow trucks may do significant damage. Re-

place any damaged or rusted parts.Power Steering — Power steering

fluid should also be inspected on a monthly basis. When checking power steering fluid, also inspect the pump for any leaks.

Tires — Keeping tires properly in-flated pays numerous dividends. Prop-erly inflated tires make it easier for the engine to operate, lowering fuel costs while also decreasing wear and tear on the engine. The owner’s manual should list a recommended tire pressure, and the local filling station likely has an air pump.

Maintaining tires also involves checking for wear and tear. Uneven wear could indicate the tires are mis-aligned. Discuss this with your me-chanic.

Transmission Fluid — When check-ing transmission fluid, do so while the car is running and after the engine has warmed up. Always be certain to put the parking brake on when check-ing transmission fluid. If the vehicle needs transmission fluid, add the rec-ommended fluid but be careful not to overfill.

Prolonging a vehicle’s lifespan is not as difficult as it sounds. Often all it takes is minor, yet routine, main-tenance to keep a car on the road for years and years.

Maintenance(Continued from Page 5B)

(BPT) — The open road lies in front of millions of drivers who are ready to lower the windows and feel the warm breeze. Nothing curbs the excitement of a spring drive more than car issues that could have been avoided by simple maintenance to combat the lasting effects of driving through winter.

Many people consider spring the perfect time to clean their homes, but it is also important not to for-get the vehicle. The average vehicle stays on the road nearly 11 years, according to a study by Polk Re-search. This trend of consumers holding onto their vehicles longer than usual continues to grow.

To help protect what is typically the second largest investment for any consumer — your vehicle — here are simple tips to make sure you are ready for a successful spring travel season.

• Seasons change, so does tire

pressure: As temperatures change, so can tire pressure. Proper tire inflation is essential for increased automotive safety, optimum driv-ing performance and significant cost savings, including better fuel mileage. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s rec-ommendations printed on the ve-hicle door placard or in the glove box, and should be checked at least monthly. Over-inflation can lead to premature or irregular tire wear and under-inflation reduces a vehicle’s fuel efficiency by an av-erage of 3.3 percent, according to fueleconomy.gov.

• Keep hydrated: Many fluids require attention, including the engine oil, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Spring is the perfect time to make sure they are all clean and at the proper levels. Additionally, to help ensure maxi-mum engine life, change the oil and

oil filter every 3,000 miles, or as di-rected by your owner’s manual.

• Breathe free: Replacing a dirty air filter can increase a vehicle’s life expectancy and fuel efficiency by reducing the strain on the en-gine, especially during warmer months. Over the winter months, salt, sand and other impurities may build up in a vehicle’s air filtration system, and replacing this air filter can improve acceleration time by around 6 to 11 percent, according to fueleconomy.gov.

• April showers bring May flowers, and wet roads: Many times, consumers postpone tire purchases, but after enduring a harsh winter and looking ahead to the wet spring weather, it is not the time to have low tread on your tires. The lower the tread depth, the less traction you will have on wet roads, and the greater the dis-tance you will need to stop.

Tips to extend your car’s longevity


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By CHRISTY LYNNCounty Tire Center’s first annual

“Free brakes for food” campaign last month resulted in the donation of hundreds of pounds of food to the lo-cal emergency food shelf at Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects, a Mid-dlebury nonprofit known as HOPE.

Steve and Lisa Dupoise, owners of the Middlebury car repair busi-ness, said they were introduced to the idea through a radio com-mercial that promoted a similar campaign by Auto Craftsman, a ser-vice and repair shop in Montpelier. “We can do that!” they thought, and looked for a parts supplier to partner with them for the cam-paign. Burlington For-eign Car Parts signed on and donated the brake pads and ship-ping costs to the food drive.

The Dupoises worked with Kate McGowan, executive director at United Way of Addison County, to find an appropriate orga-nization to receive the food donation. HOPE was an obvious choice.

Here’s the deal on which they settled: For a contribution of 10 non-

perishable grocery items, a customer received a free brake inspection. If the brakes needed repair or replacement, the customer got a set of high-quality brake pads free of cost and a half an hour off of the labor costs. Dupoise estimated that the average savings for the customer who got a brake job was between $110 and $130.

While they did not tally the total number of cus-tomers that came in with food do-nations and for the free inspec-tion, County Tire calculated it completed 40 sets of new brakes during this pro-motion between Feb. 1 and March 8. This nearly doubled the number of brake jobs completed in February of 2012.

“This was a win-win program for everybody,”

Steve Dupoise said. “We did see some new faces come through the door, and it made up for a season that is usually pretty slow around here.”

It also helps make up for a typical-ly slow giving period at food shelves,

so the donation of over 700 pounds of food from County Tire was received gratefully from HOPE, which pro-vides food assistance to more than 600 people each month.

“The shelves get pretty low this time of year and the food goes out as quickly as it comes in,” said HOPE Executive Director Jeanne Montross.

County Tire’s donation “came in with a smile” Montross noted, recall-ing the day Steve and Lisa Dupoise showed up with their van jam-packed with food.

The Dupoises say they have al-ways enjoyed donating to local or-ganizations, but this is the first year they have run a campaign through their business. While they learned some lessons and would change a few things going forward, overall it was a success.

“My goal is to do this annually,” Steve Dupoise said. “Next year we will start the campaign earlier, get-ting the word out to a broader ad-vertising base and begin planning it several months before the campaign begins.

“If I can get more people aware of this and willing to participate, that would be phenomenal,” he added. “I’d like to see 1,400 pounds of food next year — let’s double it!

“And with the way the economy’s going, we may need even more food next year,” Dupoise said.

STEVE AND LISA DUPOISE unload some of the 700 pounds of food they raised for the HOPE food shelf through a promotion at their business, County Tire. The repair shop donated a free brake inspection and money off a repair job for those who donated 10 non-perishable food items for the food shelf.

County Tire helps to stock food shelves with ‘brakes’ promotion

“If I can get more people aware of this and willing to participate, that would be phenom-enal. I’d like to see 1,400 pounds of food next year — let’s double it!”

— Steve Dupoise, County Tire Center

(MS) — Though we’re only one full decade into the 21st century, the amount of change that has taken place in those 10 years is phenome-nal. Whereas the Internet was large-ly seen as something to play with a decade ago, it now serves to pay our bills, stay in touch with friends and even order our movie tickets or meals.

But how we live our lives isn’t the only way things have changed in the last 10 years. How we treat our vehicles has also changed dra-matically. Much of the convention-al wisdom preached by our fathers and grandfathers with respect to vehicle maintenance has fallen by the wayside in the 21st century, as manufacturers of both vehicles and vehicle maintenance products have changed the way they do business. AMSOIL INC., the industry leader in synthetic motor oil, notes that many of these changes cannot only improve how our vehicles run, but save us some cash as well.

* Petroleum motor oils are no longer the gold standard. Many vehicle owners practice the same credo with respect to vehicle main-tenance. That is, “If it has worked in the past, stick with it.” Advance-ments in automotive technology, however, have led many to abandon that credo, or at least to modify it.

Perhaps no technological ad-vancement has done more to change how we view vehicle maintenance than the emergence of synthetic motor oil as a superior alternative to traditional petroleum motor oil. Once the industry standard, petro-

leum motor oils’ well-earned repu-tation for forming sludge, gums and varnishes as they break down has led industry insiders and even weekend car enthusiasts to em-brace synthetic motor oils. Because of their ability to resist the stresses of high temperature oxidation and evaporation loss, synthetic motor oils are far more resistant to sludge and deposit formation, enabling ve-hicle engines to run more smoothly and offer greater fuel efficiency.

* Cars can crack the 100,000 mile barrier and still be reliable. During the recession of 2009, many vehicle owners began looking at their cars and trucks as more long-term in-vestments. Whereas the years lead-ing up to the recession saw many vehicle owners trading their cars in after three or four years, the post-recession vehicle owner now wants more bang for his buck.

Fortunately, it’s now en-tirely possible to keep a car running strong for 100,000 miles or more. And many of the keys to doing so don’t re-quire a trip to the mechanic. With the ad-vancements in engine design, breakthroughs in engine met-allurgy and the use of synthet-ic lubricants, motorists are now keeping

their vehicles 24 percent longer than they were in 2002. Money not spent on new vehicles is money in the pocket.

* The vehicle maintenance indus-try wants to keep your car on the road. In the past year or so, much of America got its first real glimpse into the American auto industry, and many did not like what they saw. Popular auto lines Pontiac and Saturn were discontinued, and con-sumer confidence in American auto makers continued to wane.

One overlooked element, however, was the positive advancements made in the vehicle maintenance industry. Synthetic motor oils, for example, greatly enhance a vehicle’s perfor-mance. The uniform molecular struc-

ture of synthetic oil helps engines operate more ef-ficiently by reducing fric-tion and wear, improving performance in extreme

temperatures and, best of all, by improving fuel economy. So while conventional wisdom might infer the auto industry has regressed dur-ing the 21st century, the advancements made in automo-tive maintenance technology have enabled vehicles to perform better and last much longer, helping drivers save money while restor-ing their peace of mind.

Car care wisdom has changed

Synthetic


Plugged inDENEKER MECHANIC ERIC James runs a diagnostic test on a car in the dealership’s service garage

in Vergennes last week.Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Motor OilBring in used motor oil and we’ll recycle it at no charge. Make sure

it’s in secure containers. Oil for recycling must not be contaminated

with water, anti-freeze, solvents, gasoline, or PCBs. Bring contami-

nated oil to the HazWaste Center * (see hours below).

Oil FiltersYour spent oil filter, even after draining, may still contain between

4 - 8 fluid ounces of oil. That’s 40% of what it normally holds! Don’t

throw those in the trash - take them to the Transfer Station and we’ll

recycle them. Free for residents.*

AntifreezeUsed antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is a toxic chemi-

cal, and also usually contains lead. We recycle it at the HazWaste

Center at no charge for residents.*

* Businesses please call for drop-off prices for these wastes.

TiresAmericans generate roughly 290 million scrap tires every year. The

best way to keep tires from becoming a waste is to take proper care

of them. Some simple maintenance may extend the life of your tires

by 50%! Check your tire pressure and rotate them regularly. Drive

smoothly. Jackrabbit starts, hard stops, and sharp cornering all

shorten the life of your tires.

Tires collected at the Transfer Station are recycled for use in civil

engineering projects. All tires are accepted for recycling, with or

without rims. Prices are $2 for regular car tires, $6 for large truck,

and $20 for oversize (earthmoving equip.). Large loads are $0.06/lb.

Are You a Car Care Do-It Yourselfer?If you’re the family mechanic, taking pride in personally twisting on that new oil filter, the Solid Waste District can help you deal with the wastes associated with car maintenance. District residents may bring these items to the Transfer Station for recycling:

The District Transfer Station is at

1223 Rte 7 South in Middlebury,

and is open Mon-Fri, 7 am - 3 pm, and Sat, 9 am to 1 pm.

HazWaste hours are Mon-Fri, 8 am - noon, and Sat, 9 am - noon.

Call 388-2333 with questions,

or visit www.AddisonCountyRecycles.org.

(BPT) — When it comes to value purchases, there are few that compare to buying a used car over a new one, since new cars begin to depreciate the minute they are driven off the lot. If you are able to find a used car that still has plenty of life, you can save thou-sands from what you would pay for a new car.

While buying used can net you the best deal on a car purchase, it also re-quires you to do your homework to make sure you truly are getting good value from your purchase. Here are six steps to help you rest assured that your used car purchase is a good one:

• Start by identifying the type of car you want to buy. Consider expand-ing your search to similar car models that offer the same types of benefits. For example, though the Chevy Equi-nox and GMC Terrain are different in name, they are nearly identical me-chanically.

• Use online resources and car enthusiast forums to identify any red flags around given models or years. Focus less on reported reliability when the car was new and more on the car’s reliability today. Minor problems in the first year are much less important

than major problems that might show up a few years down the road.

• If you discover that a particular model might contain features that don’t age well, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should avoid the car. If it’s a widely known issue that has damaged the reputation of that type of car, but can be easily fixed, you may be able to find a bargain. Aftermarket part man-ufacturers often create good solutions for original problems. Again, it pays to do your research.

• Once you have identified a spe-cific car, use the car’s VIN number to buy a vehicle history report. A simple online search for the vehicle’s VIN number can also pull up free auction records and sales histories that may be helpful. If the history report is differ-ent than what the owner has told you, there’s plenty of reason to proceed with caution.

• Next, develop an inspection checklist to go over yourself as you test drive and examine the car. Check to make sure the license plates are current and verify the vehicle recently passed an emissions test if they are required in your area. Check brakes, hoses, belts, the body and underbody

for signs of wear or damage — a deal-er should be more than willing to put the car on a lift for your inspection if you are serious about buying the car. Make sure the heat and air condition-ing work.

• Do not worry if you are not a car expert and have no idea how to evalu-ate some systems on the car. Even if the car passes your personal inspec-tion, you’re not done yet. Take the car to a trusted professional mechanic for an inspection.

“I have been a car nut since I was a pre-teen and I only buy used cars, but I would still take any car I was consid-ering spending a lot of money on to a professional mechanic for an inspec-tion,” says Tom Taylor, engineer and vice president of RockAuto. The me-chanic will almost always find some-thing you overlooked. His inspection may tell you to avoid a car or help you negotiate a fairer price.

If you’ve done your research and followed these precautionary steps, you’ll feel informed as you negotiate a selling price and can rest assured that you’re getting a quality vehicle. All that’s left is enjoying your new purchase.

(MS) — With the economy on the rebound after the country’s worst financial times in decades, many a smart vehicle owner is looking to get more bang for their vehicle buck. In lieu of quick trade-ins, more and more vehicle owners are applying the les-sons they learned from the recession to their vehicles and trying to make their purchases last longer.

According to the automotive experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), today’s vehicles are designed with long-lasting reliability in mind, making it easier for vehicle owners to get more and more out of their vehicle purchase. To do just that, consider the following tips courtesy of ASE.

* Find a repair shop that suits your needs. Motorists often cite the dif-ficulty in finding a reliable mechanic they feel they can trust. A courteous staff that’s willing to answer your questions is a good starting point, as is a shop that’s displaying the ASE sign or logo, which indicates the shop employs certified technicians. Also, check the shop walls for any past com-mendations, including civic, commu-nity or customer service awards.

It’s also a good idea to check what vehicles the mechanics are currently working on. If the vehicles in the parking lot are equal in value to your own, that’s a good sign.

* Do the small things to save fuel. The cost of fuel is among the highest costs associated with owning a ve-hicle. But small things like ensuring tires are properly inflated, replacing misfiring spark plugs and even clear-ing the trunk of clutter can all increase fuel efficiency and help your bottom line in the process.

* Give your engine a break. Cars aren’t all that different from the hu-man body in that everything is directly or indirectly connected as a system. Just like a body can overcompensate in one area when another area is in-jured, a car’s engine will be forced to overcompensate when there are defi-ciencies in other areas. For example, a clogged air filter or fouled spark plug makes combustion less efficient, which reduces power -- and wastes fuel as well. Motorists can give their engine a break by replacing clogged filters, sticking to their vehicle main-tenance schedule and routinely check-ing fluid levels.

Get the best deal on a used car

It might be easier than you think

(BPT) — Most Americans know texting and driving is dangerous but it continues to be a problem, espe-cially for young drivers. While 97 percent of teens agree that texting and driving is dangerous, 43 percent still admitted to continuing to do it, according to a recent survey.

The 2012 AT&T survey of teen drivers also found 75 percent of teens say texting while driving is common among their friends and the majority of respondents said they have texted when stopped at a red light and often glance at their phones while driving. While teens might be the worst offenders when it comes to texting and driving, plenty of adults are guilty too. As the evi-dence continues to mount concern-ing the dangers of texting while driving, 39 states have made it ille-gal. Whether it’s legal or not in your

state, here are three good reasons to quit once and for all:

• Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be in an accident, ac-cording to Virginia Tech Transporta-tion Institute research.

• Texting while driving is dis-tracted driving. Distracted driving is a factor in 15 to 25 percent of all crashes, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

• Each day, an average of more than 15 people are killed in crashes that result from distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While messages from your friends and family are important, nothing should take precedence over safely getting yourself and your passen-gers to your destination. To help make your driving experience safer, switch to hands-free programs or built-in talking and texting pro-grams now available from many mobile and car companies.

CheckupBENJAMIN DAVIES CHECKS

a car’s air filter while perform-ing an oil change at Deneker Chevrolet in Vergennes.


Head caseDENEKER CHEVROLET ME-

CHANIC Shaun Fiske checks on the head gaskets on an engine he pulled out of a car in the Ver-gennes dealership’s garage last week.


Extend your vehicle’s life

Quit texting while driving


Going upERIC JAMES GIVES an SUV a lift in the Deneker Chevrolet Vergennes garage recently.


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(MS) — Recent studies have es-timated that many Americans spend as much as three hours a day in their cars. Over the course of a typical week, that’s almost one entire day be-hind the wheel. That not only trans-lates to lots of face time with your vehicle’s interior, but it also provides ample opportunities for the buildup of dirt, grime, coffee, and food stains that can leave a car’s interior appear-ing haggard and worn.

In addition to robbing a car’s inte-rior of its aesthetic appeal, the buildup of dirt and grease can also cause the vehicle to degrade over time. Though it’s common to associate vehicle main-tenance with what’s under the hood, drivers should also make maintenance a priority for the vehicle’s interior. When cleaning a car’s interior, address each and every nook and cranny.

Consoles & Cup Holders — Perhaps no part of a vehicle’s interior is more susceptible to dirt and grease buildup than the center console, which is typi-cally home to a vehicle’s cup holders. Spilled coffee or soda is something every driver can relate to, and clean-ing such spills is harder than it sounds. Specialized products are formulated to remove not only stubborn stains, but also older ones, making it ideal for taking care of that long-ignored yet unsightly residue at the bottom of your cup holder.

Clean Under the Carpets — Particu-larly after a long winter, a vehicle’s car-pets can be a major eyesore. Remove the floor mats and thoroughly vacuum any dirt buildup that might have mul-tiplied with each winter snowstorm or spring shower. Your carpets will look better and last longer.

Dashboards & Door Panels — In or-der to drive a vehicle, motorists must look out over the dashboard. Despite that, dashboards are often overlooked when it comes to cleaning a car’s inte-rior. Detailing products are formulated to remove unsightly dirt or grease buildup from all interior surfaces, including plastic, rubber, vinyl, and leather, while drying to a satin sheen to minimize dashboard reflection on the windshield.

Address the Upholstery — When buying a new car, many auto buyers are concerned about the car’s potential resale value. That’s a genuine concern, as resale value is often influenced by more than just the number of miles on the odometer. Dirty upholstery is an instant turnoff for most used car buyers, so drivers should be diligent and clean their upholstery regularly,

including immediately after any spills. Be careful when using water to clean the upholstery, as you don’t want any water getting into places that can dam-age electrical components or create a moldy smell.

Practice Preventive Care — Much like humans, a car is susceptible to UV rays. Whereas a human would apply sunscreen to his or her skin to protect against sunburn, drivers can apply a UV-protectant product to their ve-hicle’s interior to guard against prob-lems that often result from overexpo-sure to the sun.

Overcome the Odor — Masking odors is another concern for many vehicle owners. While some spring days are ideal for rolling down the windows, spring showers are often a force to be reckoned with during the spring season.

Maintain your car’s interior and extend its life

Fueleconomy.gov has devel-oped a new tool to help con-sumers who are thinking about purchasing a plug-in hybrid ve-hicle. The new tool, called “My Plug-in Hybrid Calculator” can help estimate personalized fuel use and costs for a plug-in based on a consumer’s driving habits, gasoline and electricity prices, and charging schedule.

Most consumers are aware that their “mileage may vary” from the EPA fuel economy rating when purchasing a new vehicle. This applies to fuel costs, too. However, fuel costs for a plug-in hybrid can vary dramatically depending on how far the vehicle is driven between charges.

Fuel costs for a plug-in hy-brid are difficult to project since they cost much less to operate when they run on elec-tricity rather than gasoline — less than half as much in many situations. So, the more electricity you use instead of gasoline, the more money you save. However, the amount of electricity you can use depends on the length of your daily commute, how often you can charge your vehicle, and other factors that vary significantly from person to person.

My Plug-in Hybrid Calcu-

lator estimates the fuel cost, fuel used, and mileage for both electricity- and gasoline-powered driving and allows the user to view estimates for a week, a month, or a year. It even estimates the number of times they’ll have to visit a fill-ing station for gasoline.

The calculator is easy to use, and users can choose from two estimation models: one with a simple form that requires mini-mal driving information and another that allows them to enter more information about their driving habits. Both allow the user to customize fuel cost and charging information.

My Plug-in Hybrid Calcula-tor makes it easy to see how personal driving characteristics can affect fuel cost savings.

My Plug-in Hybrid Calcu-lator is part of fueleconomy.gov’s commitment to provide the most current and accurate fuel economy information on all light-duty vehicles available for sale in the United States since 1985, including plug-in hybrids. Look to fueleconomy.gov for more new information on plug-in hybrids in the near future, including fuel-saving driving tips and a cool anima-tion showing how plug-in hy-brids work.

Ask ‘My Plug-in Hybrid Calculator,’ to see if a hybrid saves you money

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