6 Important Summer Car Care Tips

You are excited to welcome the summer – and you should be! Summer offers lots of great opportunities to take road trips, visit the beach, and generally enjoy yourself while the weather is good. However, before all of that happens, you'll want to ensure that your car is in tip-top shape. The summer can be tough on vehicles: they are much more likely to overheat, they bake in the sun, your air conditioner has to work a lot harder, etc. Without proper maintenance, you could end up paying a hefty price for repairs that could have easily been avoided. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the summer ahead by following these important car maintenance tips:

1. Check Your Tires

The warm weather puts extra stress on your tires, causing the pressure to rise. You'll need to check that the pressure remains at a normal level, and do it more often than normal. This is important because tires that are over or underinflated can decrease your vehicle's handling capacity and even lead to blowouts – something you'll definitely want to avoid when on the road!

2. Test Your Brakes

Your brakes are the most important safety feature on your car, so make sure that they aren't worn down or faulty. A few common signs that your brakes need to be checked include any loud or constant scraping sound, the pedal becoming very soft or hard and resistant, or the pedal feeling too high or low. Also, the warning lights on your dashboard may notify you that your brakes need to be checked.

3. Change the Oil and Filter

With all of the long drives and road trips, you'll need to make sure to get an oil change and have your filter changed as necessary. Failing to do so can result in poor fuel economy and other, worse problems. The oil is especially crucial, as it is ultimately the lifeblood of your car and what keeps your engine running cleanly and smoothly.

4. Fill Up on Fluids

These include things like coolant and windshield washer fluid. Engine coolant (or antifreeze) is the most important thing to stay on top of in the summer in order to keep cool while driving.

5. Ensure that Your AC Works Properly

Anyone who has ever experienced air conditioning problems in the heat of summer can tell you how dreadful it can be. Make sure that your air conditioner is producing cool air and functioning as it should. If you hear any odd sounds or the system doesn't seem to be blowing cold air, you should have it checked out by a specialist.

6. Test Your Windshield Wipers

Summertime is the prime time for unexpected, harsh thunderstorms and downpours. Not being able to see through the rain could lead to an accident and car damage, so it's extra important to test that your wipers are working properly.

If your vehicle needs maintenance or service, whether it be an oil change or new tires, visit your local car dealer in NJ today! Autoland can get your vehicle ready for the exciting road ahead this summer. 

Is Your Vehicle's Air Conditioner Ready for Summer?

Your vehicle's air conditioner is undoubtedly a great thing, keeping you cool and relaxed while you drive. But if it suddenly goes out on a brutally hot summer day, it can make your commute miserable. As the summer days approach, it is especially important to ensure that your vehicle's air conditioning system is functioning properly.

Understanding Vehicle Air Conditioners

An air conditioning system is a standard feature in every new car that filters and cools the air and reduces the humidity. The system contains a few basic parts, including a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a condenser. The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning system and is what cools the air.

Reasons Your Air Conditioner May Not Work

There are a few common reasons that your air conditioner may be blowing warm air or no air at all.

• You may have low Freon levels, which reduces the efficiency of the air conditioner
• Your air conditioner does put a load on your vehicle, which can cause it to overheat, resulting in a loss of cool air
• Your vehicle may also be experiencing a leak, which can be tricky to spot. Unlike other types of leaks (e.g. an oil leak), an air conditioner leak doesn't leave an obvious sign
• Another possibility is that your compressor may be worn out, which becomes more and more likely as time passes.
• There may also be an electrical problem with the wires, causing the system to shut itself down.

Many air conditioning problems are a result of insufficient maintenance; however, if you take your car to a certified mechanic, they will be able to spot and resolve the issue.

The Benefits of an Air Conditioner

Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping the inside of your car cool when it's hot and humid outside, an air conditioner also filters pollutants and airborne particles from your air, and provides an odor-free atmosphere inside your vehicle. Whether you want to show up to work looking fresh or you're trying to avoid the pollen outside, a working air conditioner is an essential part of your car.

It's important that your air conditioner is in functional condition during the summer for your comfort as well as health. If you think that your system may be experiencing problems, bring your vehicle in today. At Autoland, we not only specialize in new and used car sales in New Jersey, but our team of experienced service staff can identify and solve any maintenance issues.

Sharing the Road with Self-Driving Cars

There are signs everywhere telling drivers to share the road with pedestrians and cyclists and to look out for animals. But what happens when there's no one to read the signs?

Self-driving cars may seem like a far-flung thing of the future, but this summer Google plans to release its driverless prototype and before long, people may even see one on the road. While they may look like any other ordinary vehicle, driverless cars can usually be identified by the cameras mounted on their roofs and other electronics attached to their sheet metal.

Over the past few years, car companies and Internet moguls like Google have been developing technology that can be used to adapt almost any car for self-driving. While these modifications have been features pretty prominently in movies and flashy commercials, the actual technology is still in the testing phase, meaning that mass production should still be some years away. But how can we take advantage of these driving advancements today? It's quite simple: check out vehicles that feature the newest range of anti-collision technology.

As recently as a decade ago, front and rear parking sensors (as well as rearview cameras) were only found in luxury vehicles or were considered pricy options on everyday cars. But back then, this technology was cutting edge – and it gave us a glimpse into the future as we utilized it for the first time to drive more safely. Since then, these features have evolved to become even more impressive and useful. Nowadays, average car buyers can browse at dealerships and find vehicles with a whole suite of safety features that help them navigate the road a little better.

For instance, some new vehicles come with blind spot monitoring, which has an indicator light (typically found on the side view mirrors) to warn drivers that there are vehicles beside them. This keeps drivers from changing lanes when they can't see that there is a car pulling up next to them. Check for the many modern safety features on vehicles here at our Springfield Auto Mall!

Another driving aid that can decrease the chances of an accident is collision mitigation. This uses sensors at the front of the car (near the bumper) that will be able to tell how much space there is between them and the next vehicle. By communicating with an advanced computer, the sensor can react and alert the driver if they are traveling too fast or too close to another car; it can even apply the brakes if the car in front suddenly slows down. While driverless cars are still a few years away for most people, drivers can still benefit from new and improved safety features now!

Understanding Drivetrains: 2WD, 4WD & AWD

When choosing a Toyota in NJ, there are quite a few factors that can affect your decision. Things like leather seats, a sunroof, automatic transmission . . . the list of desirable features goes on. However, a major factor that many people forget about is the drivetrain. The drivetrain is the group of components that sends power to the wheels and propels them. Your preferences here can heavily influence the class and type of vehicle options that you have, so it's good to take a look at the pros and cons of each before making any big decisions.

Two-Wheel Drive (2WD)

Two-wheel drive vehicles are exactly what they sound like – either the two front or two back wheels put the vehicle in motion. This system is typically the most fuel-efficient option, as it requires fewer components for the drivetrain, which in turn keeps the vehicle lighter. It's quite common to find sedans, minivans, crossovers, and coupes with front wheel drive and large, heavier vehicles like SUVs and trucks with rear wheel drive. Generally, two-wheel drive is suitable for most road conditions, but isn't the ideal choice for off-roading or for areas that experience regular snowfall.

Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)

If you've seen "4x4" emblems on a vehicle or "4WD," this means that the vehicle sends power to each wheel to move the tires. Instead of propelling only the front or rear tires, four-wheel drive provides superior traction to all of the wheels. This type of drivetrain is typically found in SUVs and large trucks, which gives them off-roading capabilities that allow them to handle sand, mud, snow, and rough, rocky terrain. 4WD systems vary, and some models offer the option of operating the vehicle in constant 4WD or switching to 2WD to save fuel. Unlike regular 2WD, though, the 4WD system adds a significant amount of weight to the vehicle, so it will decrease fuel economy somewhat anyway.

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

All-wheel drive is similar to 4WD in that the drivetrain can send power to all of the wheels; however, AWD is geared towards driving in snowy and wet conditions. This type of drivetrain can be fitted for sedans, some coupes, small SUV/CUVs and even minivans. The system enhances traction for daily driving and provides a sportier performance by powering all of the wheels. Additionally, AWD computers will monitor the wheel spin over 100 times per second, and can shift power to a specific wheel if slippage occurs. This keeps the vehicle balanced during acceleration if one tire rotates faster or slower due to the road conditions, and allows the other wheels to compensate for the loss in traction. Also, as with 4WD, AWD drivetrains are slightly heavier and can affect fuel efficiency.

To determine which drivetrain is best for you, schedule a test drive of each type of vehicle. Browse our huge inventory at Autoland to find the best car for your needs!