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Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving

Did you know that distracted driving is becoming the leading cause of traffic accidents? According to the National Safety Council, as many as 40,000 people died in auto accidents last year, which is the highest number since 2007.

One factor that contributes to this statistic is the increasing number of people who own smartphones. Whether it's texting, talking, eating - or anything that takes the driver's attention off the road, a crash can be the unfortunate result of that.

The good news is that there are a few simple steps you can take to keep yourself safer on the road:

1. Don't use your phone while driving. If you have to make a call, make sure to link your vehicle's hands-free system ahead of time if it's equipped with one. Do check your local laws and regulations on what's allowed.

2. Plan ahead and allow extra time so you're not in a rush. If you're using GPS to navigate, be aware that it may not always be accurate due to road construction or other factors.

3. Observe speed limits. Going over the speed limit means that it takes more time to make an emergency stop, which means you're more likely to get into an accident.

4. Have a plan in case of an accident. Be sure to carry an up-to-date insurance card, and print out an accident report form like this one and keep it in your glove compartment.

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Car driving in fall foliage

Tips for Driving to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving

The day of the week, the time of day and the weather are all factors in determining how safe your Thanksgiving drive will be. We’ve listed several tips, so that you can make it as easy as it needs to be: Take off work early. Wednesday and Sunday are the busiest days to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday. If you have a few extra vacation days, consider starting your Thanksgiving travel on Monday or Tuesday. Take your car in for a check up. Schedule Service with us, so that you can be assured you’re ready for the road. • Perform basic maintenance. Check wipers, fluid levels, change your oil. • Check your battery and inspect your tires for proper inflation and tread depth. And don’t forget about your spare tire. Slow Down and Enjoy the Trip. Expect to hit traffic and for your trip to take longer than normal. By building in extra time to reach your destination, you’ll minimize the stress on everyone. Avoid distracted driving. You should always be attentive and alert when driving. Consider pulling off the road to eat, make a phone call, or to send a text message. Keep a safe following distance. If you drive during the day or in good weather conditions, it’s best to leave a three-second gap between you and the car in front of you. Make sure you have your charging cords. While more and more cars are manufactured with touch screens, many of us still don’t have this feature. Don’t eat turkey and drive. 00

Engine Repair

Common Body Shop Repairs Your Dealership Offers

When you are the owner of a car, one of the first major issues you are likely to have is problems with body damage. If your car gets damaged in the body, then it can bullet the value as well as the aesthetic appeal. That being said, there is no reason why such body damage cannot be repaired at a fair cost if you go to your local dealership. Dealerships tend to offer you far more responsive treatment - and affordable assistance - than a garage. Most of the time, garages know that you are in a position where you either pay through the nose for the help, or you do it yourself. They know they have you over a barrel. With body shop repairs, though, you might find that your dealership offers you all the help that you could need to get the problem dealt with. As dealerships provide longer warranties, fill their staff with technicians and engineers with experience and also provide replacement parts like never before, garages are being cut adrift. Dealerships today know that they need to offer more than just the case, cars last longer today so people are buying less cars, so they need to be able to offer you another means of managing your car outside of just buying it! Most of the time, dealers need to offer you a flat rate fee and provide you with more specialized tools and specific solutions than a garage could. Since they tend to have access to the actual manufacturer, they can very easily get you the parts needed for a proper replacement and have them fitted by a vetted professional.Some of the most common body shop repairs that you might need to undergo that you can get from a standard dealership today will include: Small body part replacements - getting rid of small parts that have been broken or damage and would usually be a hard thing to replace without direct access to the manufacturing teams of your own vehicle. Panel, bumper and/or fender replacements - these are very common, as well. They are a very impressive solution and one that you can absolutely find to be affordable and easy to get when you go to your dealership instead. Grill, light damage - these are more particular parts that need to replaced and, while expensive, can be commonplace but very hard to get replaced properly at a local garage. Keeping that in mind, you should find it much easier to get the kind of car replacement that you need. Large repairs due to driving damage - from the steering wheel becoming damaged to the car more or less being unusable, a modern dealership worth using is more likely to be able to repair even these most excessive kinds of damage. They might be more used to small-time changes, but most dealerships will handle make-or-break changes, too. Overall, it can be hard to pull off getting repairs needed at a garage that you can find affordable. While not exactly cheap at a dealership, the prices can be a little better and the service more likely to be exactly what you were hoping for. Come in and see us for Service, or just schedule it here.

Car in springtime

SPRING DRIVING TIPS

Springtime brings rain and the after effects of winter weather - potholes and uneven pavement. Keep these driving tips in mind before you travel: • Spring showers bring May flowers - and wet driving conditions: Slow down on slick roads, and increase your following distance even when mist begins to fall. Just a small amount of water can mix with oil and grease on the road to create slippery conditions. • Share the road: Warm weather brings out motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. • Understand the impact of medications on driving: For many people, spring means seasonal allergies. Over-the-counter allergy drugs can have side effects or interact with other medications to diminish your driving ability•If possible, go around potholes: • Deep potholes can throw your car out of alignment or worse, forcing you to buy a new wheel and a new tire. You may be able to file a claim (laws differ from city to city and state to state), but you you'll likely have to prove negligence on the part of the city. • Avoid driving through large puddles: Driving through water can impair your brakes, cloud your vision, or cause you to hydroplane. • Keep your tires properly inflated: Full tires can reduce the damage caused by potholes and other road hazards. SCHEDULE SERVICE with us here at Dublin Chevrolet, and we'll make sure you're in tip-top shape.