Gas prices fluctuate throughout the year, especially as seasons change from fall to winter and winter to spring. But is there really a difference between the gasoline available in the summer versus the winter? The difference between the two blends involves the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of the fuel. RVP measures how easily the fuel …
When the rubber hits the road: Your tire maintenance checklist
Tire care and safety is simple and important. A good habit to build is to take five minutes every month to check your tires, including the spare. If properly cared for, tires can last a long time — usually from 40,000 to 80,000 miles. Follow the PART acronym to make sure your tires are safe, …
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Are road de-icers ruining your car?
With the end of winter still far off, millions of Americans will face pricey vehicle repairs from rust damage caused by chemicals used to de-ice roadways. According to a AAA survey, U.S. drivers paid an estimated $15.4 billion in rust repairs caused by de-icing methods over the last five years. Many transportation departments now use …
Steer clear of skids
Icy, slippery roads are prime environments for skids. Skids fall into two groups: rear-wheel and front-wheel. Regardless of the type you encounter, it’s important to stay calm; over-correcting can make the situation worse. Follow our tips to stay safe and keep your vehicle on the road this winter. Front-wheel skids Front-wheel skids are caused by …
A Celestial Stay
Never has the connection between stars and diamonds been more hospitable than at the glamorous Hotel LeVeque, Columbus’ newest boutique property and AAA Four Diamond awardee. Housed in what Architectural Digest named one of the 10 most beautiful Art Deco buildings in the world, the chic hotel has embraced its Jazz Age origins and overlaid …
Battery struggles
If you have had to replace a car battery recently, you are not alone. In its 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study, J.D. Power found that battery failures in 3-year-old cars had increased by 44 percent from the year before. A 2015 study by Battery Council International found that battery life span had declined by 10 percent …
Alphabet Soup and Safety
Automotive safety systems that can warn or even intercede when things go wrong are not new. Anti-lock braking has been around for decades. So, too, has electronic stability control, which helps control a skid and has proved to be so effective that it is now required on all new cars. With at least 20 years …
Five items to keep in your car this winter
From visiting family to shopping trips, chances are you’ll be on the road more during the holiday season. Whether it’s a blizzard, potholes or ice, winter roads can be in poor condition, leading to accidents for even the most responsible drivers. To help keep you prepared during the colder months, here are five items to …
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Is Your Vehicle Ready for Winter?
Harsh winter conditions can make your vehicle work harder, particularly the charging and starting system, headlights, tires and windshield wipers. To make sure your vehicle is prepared for the months ahead, take some time to perform the following maintenance tasks. Clean any corrosion from battery posts and cable connections. Have any engine problems corrected at …
Pets on the Go
When Dr. Becka Byrd, my 16-year-old Chihuahua’s veterinarian, dropped the bomb that my beloved Sasha had congestive heart failure and a collapsed trachea, I vowed to limit my travels to mostly domestic destinations and take her with me in the time she had left. Sasha was on borrowed time, and in one special year together, …