Summer Driving Tips for the Road

Summer has officially begun and is the busiest time of the year as people take to the roadways for vacation and enjoyment.




Summer heat and unexpected breakdowns are hard on everyone.  High summer temperatures also take their toll on your engine so we recommend to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual and speak with your auto service professional about maintaining your vehicle during the summer months.

Here’s a quick list of service items to review to have your vehicle running in tip top shape this summer.

• Have your air conditioning tested and inspected, along with belts and hoses
• Make sure your radiator and cooling system is thoroughly inspected
• Have your battery tested. It’s a lot easier to replace a battery than replacing a dead one on the side of the road
• Have brakes inspected, along with steering components
• Change the engine oil and filter according to the service schedule and check all fluid levels.
• Replace wiper blades once a year
• Have all your tires inspected and tire pressure including spare.
• Check all exterior lights
• Change the air filter. A dirty filter lowers gas mileage and reduces engine performance
• And last, buckle up and don’t leave home without your cell phone and your disabled parking permit 

Before you head out onto the road, stop into Audia Chevrolet for a complete inspection. Schedule your appointment online at Audiachevrolet.com or give us a call 866-643-7478

Avoiding Wiper Blade Damage - Part II

The following are major contributors to wiper damage. Some of these you can control and others are environmental concerns.

• Extremely dusty areas (such as driving on dirt roads) may cause the wipers rubber edge to wear quickly and unevenly.
• Sand and salt used on roads for increasing winter traction and ice control will cause the wiper blades to wear quicker. Areas with significant snowfall require more frequent blade replacements. 
• Heat and time may cause the rubber blades to take a "permanent set" resulting in the rubber not flexing and turning over uniformly. This condition may result in streaking and/or un-wiped areas.
• Rubber blades are easily cut or torn when using ice scrapers. Likewise pulling blades up off a frozen windshield can tear the rubber. Exercise caution when clearing ice and snow. 
• Using your wipers to "wear through" frost and ice, instead of allowing the defrosters to melt the ice, can dull, nick or tear the rubber blades. 
• Banging wipers on the glass to remove ice and snow may cause the blade to bend, dislodging the rubber and causing potential scratching of the windshield. 
• Ice can form in the pin joints of the wipers, which can cause streaking and un- wiped areas. To remove ice from pin joints, compress the blade and rubber edge with your hand to loosen the frozen joints. Consider using Winter Blades that have a rubber cover to avoid this condition. 

Scheduled Maintenance:

• Inspect your wiper blades every 4 - 6 months, or every 7500 miles for wear, cracking or contamination.

For issues or problems call Audia Chevrolet; we will inspect and install your wiper blades free of charge by a trained GM Certified Technician.  Call for an appointment at 845-677-6220; or email us at gmcertifiedservice@audiamotors.com