New Year's Resolutions...For Your Car

It's a new day, it's a new year.  Many of you have made some resolutions this year that look something like this:

1. Eat healthier
2. Exercise more
3. Read more books
4. Keep vehicle(s) maintained

Is that what your list looks like?  We all know how important it is to take care of our body and mind, but are we as concerned about maintaining our vehicles?

Some of the most simple maintenance can be done on a daily basis.  Maintenance such as checking the operation of lights, horn, direction indicators, wipers, washers, and warning lights can be checked daily.  You can also check seat belts and brakes regularly (since you probably already use them regularly).   Also, look for fluid deposits underneath your vehicle.

Weekly checks that you can perform are fluid levels of the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and tire pressure.  Check your owner's manual to find out exactly what each level should be, and which fluid to use (not all vehicles use the same fluids for each system).

There is also some more in-depth maintenance that should be done regularly.  30/60/90K mileage maintenance should be completed on the specified interval.  It's also a good idea to continue regular maintenance every 30K miles after you hit the 90K mile mark.  Also ensure that your vehicle receives regular oil changes and tire rotations.  Become familiar with your owner's manual to help stay on-top of any regular needed maintenance.

As always, Jake's Auto is happy to perform any needed maintenance on your vehicles.

Give the Gift of Safety-Don't Drink and Drive

The holiday season starts for most the week of Thanksgiving.  We enjoy being with friends and family and celebrating all of the many things we are grateful for.  We start celebrating Christmas the very next day with sale after sale on Black Friday and continue through New Year's Eve.

During this time of year, we all have more time off and more to celebrate. Sometimes as we celebrate drinking increases, and winter road conditions deteriorate, which could lead to a recipe for disaster. The sad truth is that not only is this the most celebrated time of year, it is also the time of year when the most alcohol-related deaths occur.

During the holiday season, 40% of highway deaths are alcohol related. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, 2-3 times more people die due to alcohol related accidents.

Also in the state of Utah, if you received a DUI, you will receive criminal penalties and unrelated civil penalties (http://www.dmv.org/ut-utah/automotive-law/dui.php).  Penalties typically include jail time, community service, fines, suspension of your driver license, treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, impounded vehicles and fines, and ignition interlock device and fees.

Avoiding alcohol-related problems at this time of year, can be as simple as planning ahead.  Don't drink if you are planning to drive. One drink for one person can have a drastically different effect on that person than it might on another.  Don't even risk driving if you've had anything to drink.

Another course you could take is to have a designated driver, or call for a cab.  Ask a friend who won't be drinking to give you a ride home. Robert J. Debry has a great "Get a Free Ride Home" program for those who live in the Salt Lake Metro area. In the long run, it could save you, those you love, and those you don't even know by having someone else take you home after you've been drinking.

We definitely encourage everyone to enjoy this holiday season, but do so responsibly. One gift we can all give this year is the gift of safe driving to all those who are driving on the roads with you.