Service station attendants did so much more than pump gas; they helped take care of our cars.  While the gas was filling the tank, the attendant would wash all the windows and side view mirrors, check the oil and other fluids, and check the tire pressure and treadwear.  Now that most full service stations in the U.S. have been converted to self-serve gas stations, these services are no longer easily available.

While most of us know how to pump our own gas,  we also need to learn how to maintain our cars as well as the full service attendant. Routine maintenance is good for your car and it’s an important step in preventing car accidents, so follow these steps when you stop for gas:.

• Wash the windows every time you fill up!  Anything on the windows will block your vision, whether it is dirt, debris, dead bugs, ice, or anything else. Keeping windows clean is an easy way to prevent an auto accident.
• Check the fluids every other time you fill up. This includes checking the oil level and windshield wiper fluid.  If you’re not sure how to do this, have your mechanic teach you. It’s easy and a simple safety rule.
• Check your tires once a month. Tire pressure and treadwear are important factors in gas mileage and traction.  Ensure that your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendation and that treadwear is never less than a 16th of an inch. Tires should be checked by a professional and rotated each time you have your car in for service or an oil change.

Make these things a habit at the pump and help keep yourself, your passengers, and other drivers safe from easily avoidable accidents.

There is no doubt about it, these are difficult economic times and many of us are on very tight budgets.  The cost of cars, no matter how good the deal, is a lot of money.  Even used cars are not inexpensive.

If you are looking for a car, new or used, it’s a good idea to find out all of the costs up front.  One way to do this is by calculating how much it costs per mile to drive a car.  As you know, it’s not just the purchase price, but many other factors that also add to the overall cost.  To plan for all the expenses of vehicle ownership, review the potential costs and make an informed decision about which vehicle you can afford.  Ownership costs will vary significantly depending on the make and model of the vehicle and other factors.

• Fuel: Manufacturers are required to state the fuel mileage for all models.  With the price of fuel likely to remain high, this is an important item to consider.  Depending on the amount of driving you do, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle could be worth hundreds of dollars each month.
• Insurance: Most states, including Michigan, require auto insurance. If you take out a loan, your lender may require a greater insurance coverage.  Some factors that determine the price of insurance are your driving record, whether you have been in an auto accident, where you live, and the value of your vehicle.  More expensive cars can cost more to insure.
• Interest on your loan: If you are depending on a loan to buy your car, it pays to shop around because interest can really add up.  For example, a five year loan of $20,000 at 7% interest will cost approximately  $8,500.00 in interest, while the same loan at 4% will cost around $4,500.00.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Normal car maintenance costs include regular oil changes, seasonal adjustments, cleaning, brake checks, etc.  These costs may also vary by model and should be estimated before making a purchase.  You may also want to factor in a “best guess” for yearly repairs.  Remember the first year there may be no repairs, but as the car ages, the repair cost will increase.
• Taxes: Most states charge sales tax and the amount will be a percentage of the sale price.  You may also have to pay title or transfer fees.
• Value: Your car will lose value as you drive it.  If you’re planning to sell the car in a few years, it is important to compare the rate of depreciation of different models.  Different makes and models will lose their value at different rates. Making an educated guess of the car’s worth in a few years will help you to determine the cost of ownership during that time.

• Buy a road atlas or GPS.  These will help you find your way, navigate a detour, and provide options for new routes.  A GPS can help you find restaurants or lodging, and check on traffic conditions.  Having either one of these is an essential for any road trip.
• Put together an emergency road kit. Your kit should have jumper cables, tire gauge, flashlight, basic tools like screwdriver and pliers, engine oil, coolant, and first aid kit.  If you are driving in a cold climate, include an ice scraper, blanket, and flares.  In the south, make sure you have extra water for you and your radiator. In addition, make sure you have your car registration, insurance certificate, and owner’s manual.
• Check your fluids.  Starting your trip with an oil change is a good idea.  Also check the levels of power steering fluid, engine coolant (antifreeze), windshield wiper fluid, and automatic transmission fluid.
• Equipment check. Make sure that battery cables are connected snugly and the terminals are clean, and that all engine hoses and belts fit correctly and are not cracked. Do you remember the last time you replaced your air filter?  Now would be a good time.   How about the horn, the lights, and mirrors?  All of these need to be working properly for safe driving. It’s a good idea to add a spare headlight bulb to your road kit as well.
• Tires.  Make sure the tires are inflated to the correct pressure.  Check for uneven wear and rotate or replace them if necessary.  Be sure that you have an inflated spare, a sturdy car jack, and a lug wrench, in case you need to change a tire.
• Windshield wipers should be working properly. Replace the blades if they are worn or don’t clean your windshield well.

Taking the time to get ready for your road trip is well worth it.  Whether you are fleeing the icy winter for a few months or just thawing out for a long weekend, your car should be ready to get you there.  These simple steps are easy to follow and will help avoid an auto accident.

Enjoying winter safely does take a bit of planning.  To make sure that your car is ready to transport you and your family to all these fun events, now is the time to get it ready for winter.  One great way to prevent Michigan car accidents is to get your car winterized and ready to go by the first snow storm.

Follow this simple checklist:

1. Put together an emergency kit.  Accidents happen, and you could get stuck in a snow storm, slide off the road, or one of so many other reasons why you may find yourself waiting for road service. No matter the reason, you will need to stay warm and be able to call for help.  Your winter emergency kit should include: a blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, extra gloves and hat, and a first aid kit.  You can add more things you think may be necessary, but these are the basics.
2. Change your oil for winter.  Your dealer or mechanic will be able to recommend the best oil for your climate. If you are doing it yourself, check your owner’s manual.  Oil will thicken in the winter, so it a lighter weight oil is usually recommended.
3. Snow tires and tire pressure.  There are many reasons put snow tires on your car for the winter.  Perhaps you live in a hilly area, you do a lot of driving, your area gets a lot of snow, or your community does not send road plow crews to your neighborhood on a regular basis. Snow tires will improve your traction and provide a safer ride in the winter.  Whether you use snow tires or a good all-season tire, the correct air pressure is essential for good traction any time of the year ,and critical during the winter months. Traction is limited in snowy, icy, and slippery conditions, so properly inflated tires ensure you have the best possible traction.
4. Windshield washer fluid and wiper blades.  Visibility in snow and winter conditions is easily impaired.  Wiper blades are most effective for one to two years.  Check to see if your blades have any wear, and replace them if they do, or if they are more than 2 years old.  Wiper fluid should be suitable for below zero temperatures.  If you have water in the reservoir, it needs to be flushed and replaced with wiper fluid with an antifreeze, so the lines don’t freeze over the winter.  This is vital for a clean windshield and the best visibility.
5. Radiator flush and engine coolant.  This is important for keeping your engine at the correct temperature and running smoothly.  Your mechanic will know the best mixture of antifreeze to water for your climate.  If you are doing this yourself, most engines in cold weather need a ratio of 60% antifreeze to 40% water.  Adjusting this ratio a critical step in winterizing your car correctly.  Also, make sure you properly dispose of the old coolant. It should NOT be poured into a drain or sewer.
6. Battery, Belts and Hoses.  Batteries have a reduced capacity in the winter. Check the voltage and make sure it will make it through the winter.  Again, your owner’s manual will tell you the correct levels, or your car mechanic will know.  Inspect the cables and the terminals to make sure they are connected tightly and have a good connection.  At the same time, check the engine belts and hoses to ensure they are not cracked or loose.

Getting ready for winter is important. When it comes to keeping your family safe and avoiding an accident, it’s essential to get your car ready for the cold months ahead.  Safe driving!

When you get in the car and buckle the kids in their safety seats and you in your seat belt, where is your dog?  Is the dog loose in the car?  Does this make sense?  If it’s not safe for children or adults to ride in a car unrestrained, why would it be safe for the family dog?  Well, it’s not.

So what are your options?  There are three simple ways to keep your pets safe while traveling, and prevent them from becoming a distraction and possibly causing an auto accident.

1. The safest way to protect your dog is by using a pet harness designed for safe travel.  The harness should fit properly around the dog’s shoulders and behind the front leg.  It should have a strap that securely fastens to the car seat belt.  This will comfortably restrain the dog in much the same way as an adult seat belt.
2. A second choice is putting the dog in a crate in the back seat.  Then secure crate with straps that buckle into the seat belts.
3. If these two options are not available, putting a barrier between the front and rear seat will help keep your family safe, but may not protect the dog.  The barrier ensures that the dog will not distract the driver, and will keep it from injuring someone during a sudden stop.  However, it will not protect your dog from being tossed around in the case of an auto accident.

Pets live in over 71 million homes in the United States, and 82% of those pets travel on vacation with their families.  If your family enjoys traveling with your dog, take the time to keep them safe so you can be travel together for many years.

It’s back-to-school time, and one of the many things parents need to plan, is how to get kids to and from school safely. If you are planning to drive your children to school, it’s important to learn the safest way to do this and avoid an auto accident.

You know that morning and afternoon are extremely busy. School grounds are filled with cars, buses, and kids running around. At the same time,  neighborhood streets are bustling. So let’s review a few important ways to keep everyone safe.

• Learn the procedure – If your school has specific procedures for drop off and pick up, learn the routine.  The guidelines are designed for moving kids and cars in and out of the school zone as efficiently and safely as possible. It’s your responsibility to know the rules and follow them.  Find out if there is a written procedure or a map showing safe drop off and pick up areas.
• Be Courteous –  Be on your best behavior.  There are a lot of busy people and everyone needs to get in and out as quickly and safely as possible. Put away the cell phone, follow the procedure, and listen to the instructions of school staff. Stay in line, rather than skipping ahead or cutting anyone off.
• Be Cautious –   The safety of our children always comes first. Leave a few minutes early, to give yourself extra time. Use ONLY the designated drop off and pick up sites.

• Stay Out of the Bus Loading Zone – This area is for school buses only. Dropping off children in the bus loading zone is dangerous, and slows down the flow of all other incoming cars and buses.
• Think Smart – If you can’t get into the school grounds, park on the same side of the street as the drop off locations, not across the street. This avoids the risk of kids crossing in the middle of the block.
• Remember the Neighbors – You can keep the traffic flowing and reduce the parking impact on residents who live near the school by following all the procedures, and making sure never to park in front of a driveway.

One major cause is that the falling leaves and rain make the roads wet and very slippery, making driving conditions similar to driving on ice. As the temperatures drop, the wet leaves can freeze and create icy patches on the road.  These conditions increase the possibility of drivers losing control as they struggle with poor traction and skidding.

There are many other hazards unique to autumn driving.  Here are just a few to watch for to help avoid car accident injuries:

• School buses. As the kids go back to school, defensive driving is essential.  Watch for kids and buses, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
• Fog. Diminished sight distance can be dangerous.  Remember to slow down, use your low beams and keep your headlights clean.
• Halloween. Yep, it’s a fun time for the kids, but it’s easy for them to be excited and run into the street. Be careful of the trick-or-treaters, particularly the ones in dark costumes!
• Deer. Fall is the time of year that deer often move around. Be extra careful at dusk and early evening.  Slow down if you see deer by the road and stop if you see one crossing the road. They rarely travel alone so it’s best to stop and wait for the others to safely cross.  Remember to use your hazard lights to alert other drivers to the situation.  During November, also be on the look out for deer hunters.
• Daylight savings time. When you adjust your clock, it can effect your body and make you drowsy.  It also may force you to drive your evening commute in the dark.  Both of these things will diminish your vision and make driving more difficult.
• Sunsets. Fall sunsets can be some of the most spectacular, but the lower angle of the sun can make driving into it very dangerous.  Always have sunglasses on hand to help cut the glare.

Follow these safety tips and your own common sense, so that the beautiful autumn season will also be a safe one.