Automobile Retailers

On Monday, we posted a blog about a study that showed using a GPS device can help you save gas. But did you know that same study also said it can help you remain unstressed while on the road?

According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 72 percent of drivers felt less stressed when they were using a GPS device while driving. In addition, the study also showed that nearly 60 percent of the drivers tested said they could focus on the road better when they used a GPS device.

One of the ways it helps you focus more is by telling you where roads are and when to turn. How many times have you almost hit another car because you were looking for street signs that were too small to read? A GPS device eliminates that because it tells you exactly how far away the street is. Even though you may need to glance at the device once in a while, you can still focus on the road and look at the device only when it’s safe to do so.

How many of you have a GPS device? Has it made your driving experiences more relaxed and enjoyable? If you don’t have one, why not visit your local Mercedes-Benz dealer and get a new or certified pre-owned vehicle that has one installed? It’s a great addition to any vehicle regardless of how much you drive around.

Did you know a front-end alignment could be the answer to your gas-guzzling woes? Well, it might not be that simple, but getting your car’s front-end aligned could be one way to increase your fuel economy.

Cars can become unaligned in several ways. If you’ve run over something big recently or bumped into a curb when trying to park, there’s a chance you knocked the alignment off kilter. Potholes and uneven tire wear are other ways your car’s alignment can get screwed up.

When a car’s wheels aren’t aligned properly, they will either pull to the left or to the right. If you’re not sure if your car needs an alignment, let go of your steering wheel when driving down a straight section of the road and see if your car veers one way or another. Warning! Only do this at slow speeds and when other cars aren’t around. If the car continues going straight, you probably don’t need an alignment.

Improper alignment affects your gas mileage in a negative way because your car works harder to make it go straight. The engine has to help overcome the “pull” to ensure that it doesn’t go off one way or another. This burns more gas than necessary, hence reducing your fuel economy.

If you think your car needs an alignment, the service area at your local Buick dealer is ready to correct it. Fixing the problem might not increase your gas mileage by much, but every little bit helps!