Safety Tips for Summer Storms

The check engine light in your vehicle can cause a lot of panic, but it’s one of the most misunderstood lights on the dash. First, see if your check engine light is blinking or a constant light. Either way you’ll need to figure out the issue. If the light is constantly on, it needs to be checked as soon as possible. If the light is blinking, it’s not as urgent, but you should still get it checked out soon as it may stall while driving. Here are the top 4 items to inspect if your check engine light appears: 1. A loose or faulty gas cap This causes fuel vapors to leak out of your gas tank, which throw’s your vehicle off. Tighten your gas cap or replace it for $5-$10. 2. Worn spark plugs Spark plugs cause a spark to fire which ignites your fuel. It is recommended to replace them every 30,000 miles. These are another easy, low cost fix you can do or take to a repair shop. 3. Faulty catalytic converter A converter is what keeps you safe from dangerous gases. You’ll likely notice a smell, or your vehicle will have fuel issues. This needs to be fixed by a mechanic. 4. Faulty air flow sensor An air flow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine. When the air and fuel mixture isn't balanced correctly your vehicle decreases in performance, but in ways you can’t always see and feel. This is an easy fix for a mechanic if you request it. Lastly, you can find out the code behind a check engine light by using a code reader(or letting a mechanic use one), and follow a few methods on your own to decode the light. These methods are not the top option because they can be faulty, but if you’re in a pinch and need an answer you can try these options. After checking these small things, be sure to call a local dealership or mechanic to get the best help for your vehicle.

Not all parents want the same type of vehicle, therefore, we researched the top 3 areas most parents value in a family vehicle. Being a parent can already be stressful enough, so here are 3 tips to help take the stress off buying one. Safety Safety is the number one feature valued by parents because they want to protect their families. Both parents usually look through many consumer reports and crash tests to see how the vehicle they are interested in will perform in an accident. Other important safety features to them include airbag locations, child safety locks and latches for child car seats. Size The size need in a vehicle depends on the size and age of the family. Car seats can take up a lot of room and really determine how much space is needed for seating. If the parents don’t have any kids in car seats, they might have sports gear and three of their kid’s friends to haul around during sports season. Whatever the reason may be, a roomy vehicle is very important to parents so their family can be comfortable when traveling. Affordability The third factor parents’ desire in a vehicle is typically its value for their family. They don’t want to break the budget when it comes to the vehicle, insurance, and gas. This factor has one of the biggest impacts on their family, especially when parenting can already be expensive. Most parents love a good deal or getting the biggest bang for their buck out of anything, including a vehicle. If you’re a parent currently searching for a vehicle perfect for your family, consider these three factors that most parents appreciate in any vehicle!

Now that winter is behind us and spring has decided to make an appearance, it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning – for your vehicle! Winters can be harsh on your car, which makes spring the perfect time to do some good maintenance and a deep clean. Oil Change. A good rule of thumb is to get an oil change approximately every 5000 miles.  It’s an easy and inexpensive part of your vehicle maintenance and it really helps extend the efficiency and reliability of your vehicle. A GOOD Car Wash – Inside and Out. More than just the aesthetic of having a clean car, giving your vehicle a good wash at the start of spring is a step toward maintaining the overall health of your car. Road salt left on the exterior for too long can deplete the color and corrode the metal. (And spring rain showers are not enough to rinse off all that winter grime). Don’t forget the wash the undercarriage as well – this is where a lot of the road salt tends to sit and cause problems. Don’t forget about the interior.  Winter tends to encourage a trash buildup in the doors, nooks and crannies of vehicles. Take 20 minutes after your car wash and vacuum out the entire inside. Replace Wiper Blades. Winter can be very harsh on wiper blades and small tears and cracks can appear without you being able to see them. With the onslaught of spring showers, you want to make sure that your wiper blades are up to snuff. Check Tire Pressure and Alignment. Your tires are literally the cushion between you and the road, so it’s especially important to take care of them. We recommend checking your tire pressure monthly. Most newer vehicles will send you an alert when one or more tires has fallen below the recommended level. Check the tread for wear and tear. Roads can be very slippery during spring rain storms, so you want to make sure you’re able to stop without sliding. You’ll want to rotate and align them in the spring as well. Change Air Filters. You may not be using that AC just yet, but before it becomes an absolute necessity, make sure that your air filters are unclogged and replace them if necessary. Review Your Insurance Policy. This is one of the vehicle maintenance items that people always forget about. Oftentimes, your agent will proactively reach out to you every so often, but if they don’t, spring is a good time to be proactive about it yourself. Are you in the most efficient policy for your family? Will you be adding a new teen driver to your policy soon? Call your agent and find out if there are any deals or discounts that you can get as well.