12 Simple Steps to Increase your Gas Mileage

1. Drive the speed limit. Experts estimate that you lose 20 cents for every 5 mph you go over the highway speed limit. 
2. Use your vehicle's cruise control for highway driving. The cruise control keeps the accelerator even and prevents sudden surges from stepping on the gas.
• Cruise control won't work in favor of your gas mileage if you live in a mountainous area, as the accelerator will be constantly surging going up frequent steep hills.
3.  Shut the car off if you'll be idling for longer than one minute.
4. Drive moderately and don't rev the engine. Anticipate having to stop and slow down way ahead of traffic.  
5. Change your oil regularly and rotate or replace your tires when needed. A dirty air filter or worn-out spark plugs can also seriously drain your gas mileage and should be fixed or replaced.
• Use the motor oil recommended in your vehicle owner's manual. Motor oil additives can also make a difference. Look for an oil in your car's recommended grade that advertises energy conservation or uses the API performance logo.
6. Check your vehicle owner's manual to see what octane of fuel is recommended for your vehicle; for most cars, regular octane is ideal.
7. Reduce engine speed by using your vehicle's overdrive gears. Not only will this easily increase your gas mileage, it will also reduce the wear and tear on your engine.  
8. Take luggage and racks off the exterior of your car when you're not using them. Anything extra on the outside of your vehicle affects wind resistance. 
9. Remove unnecessary junk from your trunk, as extra pounds will weigh a car down. It's estimated that for every 250 pounds hauled, you lose 1 mile per gallon.
10. Travel when you know traffic will be lighter, if possible. Combine trips to run several errands at once in certain areas of town.  
11. Try not to use your four-wheel drive function if possible. The drive components increase fuel consumption.
12. Keep your tires inflated at optimum levels. Not only is this good for the wear of your car and safety, you may be able to get a modest increase in gas mileage. 

Five Mistakes Good Drivers Make

Don’t fall victim to one of the 6.3 million car crashes that occur every year. Here are five critical mistakes that good drivers make and what you can do to avoid them.

Overconfidence:
Think you’re a good driver? So do 99 percent of people on the road, according to a National Safety Council survey. Never mind that 93 percent fail to follow basic safety practices like turning off cell phones or obeying the speed limit. Acknowledge your vulnerability. And even with advanced vehicle safety features, don’t take it for granted that your car is going to protect you.
 
Multi-tasking:
A 2004 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute shows that driver distraction preceded almost 80 percent of crashes. At 60 mph, you can travel 30 yards per second or the length of a football field in the time it takes to unwrap a hamburger. Driving under the influence of anything, including everyday distractions, is every bit as debilitating as drinking and driving, experts agree. That includes talking on a cell phone, hands-free or not. Drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to get into a crash, according to the IIHA.  In order to prevent yourself from being distracted, think of yourself as an airplane pilot — check controls and settings before you take off. A good idea is to train your eyes to look 12 seconds out so you can concentrate on the road ahead. 

Failing to Secure Loose Objects:
Loose items, from pets to water bottles, cause 13,000 injuries in accidents every year, according to the National Safety Council. In a crash, your car comes to a sudden stop, but anything not battened down keeps moving at the same speed. At 30 mph even the smallest object becomes a dangerous projectile. Think of your 4.4-ounce cell phone as a deadly missile aiming for your toddler with a force of 11 pounds, or two bricks. Or imagine your 60-pound black lab hurling against the back seat with the might of 1,200 pounds. Put your junk in the trunk. Luggage, laptops and other heavy objects are best stowed in a closed compartment or under a cargo net. Never place objects on or near the airbag module; even a tissue box is nothing to sniff at when an airbag deploys. Keep pets secured in a latched cargo crate or with a doggy seatbelt.
 
Drowsy Driving:
More than half of American motorists admit to driving while drowsy and one in five say they actually nodded off or fell asleep at the wheel during the past 12 months, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine. “Fatigue is an impairment,” says Green. “You can’t play a good basketball game or a violin solo if you’re whooped. So why would you think you could drive?” Pay attention to your body. Constant yawning, a nod of the head, heavy eyelids, blurred vision and lane drifting are warnings you may be on the verge of falling asleep. If you’re tired, stop driving. Rolling down the window, drinking coffee and cranking up the stereo are only temporary fixes. You’ll feel more refreshed if you take a 20-minute power nap. On long trips, stop to stretch every 100 miles or two hours. Drive with someone else in the car whenever possible.
 
Thinking Green Means Go:
One in three Americans admitted to driving through a red light or stop sign without coming to a complete stop in a 2005 poll commissioned by Volvo Cars of North America in partnership with the National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs’ Association. That means that even if you’ve got the green, you could be right, but you could be dead wrong. Yield anyway, even if you have the right of way. Look both ways and then look both ways again. Know what it takes to bring your vehicle to a complete stop. Don’t trust anyone, insists Bob Schaller, adviser to RoadtripAmerica.com and author of 70 Rules of Defensive Driving. “People trust the other driver to be predictable and do the right thing. They often do not, and we often do not. The result is the 138 people who die each day in traffic crashes on our streets and highways.”

***erieinsurance.com 

Don’t become a victim of one of the 6.3 million car crashes that occur each year. Here are five critical mistakes good drivers make and what you can do to avoid them.

Mistake No. 1: Overconfidence

Why it matters: Think you’re a good driver? So do 99 percent of people on the road, according to a National Safety Council survey. Never mind that 93 percent fail to follow basic safety practices like turning off cell phones or obeying the speed limit.
Driving safety instructor Bob Green calls the phenomenon delusions of adequacy or “D.O.A.”
What to do instead: Acknowledge your vulnerability. And even with advanced vehicle safety features, don’t take it for granted that your car is going to protect you.

Mistake No. 2: Multi-tasking

Why it matters: A 2004 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute shows that driver distraction preceded almost 80 percent of crashes.
At 60 mph, you can cover a lot of ground fast — 30 yards per second or the length of a football field in the time it takes to unwrap a hamburger. If you veer off course, you’d better hope there isn’t a bicycle, pedestrian or vehicle in your way.
Driving under the influence of anything, including everyday distractions, is every bit as debilitating as drinking and driving, experts agree. That includes talking on a cell phone, hands-free or not.
Drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to get into a crash, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. And a handsfree phone doesn’t reduce the risk.
What to do instead: Think of yourself as an airplane pilot — check controls and settings before you take off.
“Train your eyes to look 12 seconds out so you can concentrate on what’s ahead,” says Green. “And remember: smart drivers just drive.”

Mistake No. 3: Failing to Secure Loose Objects

Why it matters: Loose items, from pets to pop cans, cause 13,000 injuries in accidents every year, according to the National Safety Council.
Remember high school physics? In a crash, your car comes to a sudden stop, but anything not battened down keeps moving at the same speed. At 30 mph even the smallest object becomes a dangerous projectile. Think of your 4.4-ounce cell phone as a deadly missile aiming for your toddler with a force of 11 pounds, or two bricks. Or imagine your 60-pound black lab hurling against the back seat with the might of 1,200 pounds.
What to do instead: Put your junk in the trunk. Luggage, laptops and other heavy objects are best stowed in a closed compartment or under a cargo net.
Never place objects on or near the airbag module; even a tissue box is nothing to sniff at when an airbag deploys. Keep pets secured in a latched cargo crate or with a doggy seatbelt.

Mistake No. 4: Drowsy Driving

Why it matters: More than half of American motorists admit to driving while drowsy and one in five say they actually nodded off or fell asleep at the wheel during the past 12 months, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“Fatigue is an impairment,” says Green. “You can’t play a good basketball game or a violin solo if you’re whooped. So why would you think you could drive?”
What to do instead: Pay attention to your body. Constant yawning, a nod of the head, heavy eyelids, blurred vision and lane drifting are warnings you may be on the verge of falling asleep.
If you’re tired, stop driving. Rolling down the window, drinking coffee and cranking up the stereo are only temporary fixes. You’ll feel more refreshed if you take a 20-minute power nap. On long trips, stop to stretch every 100 miles or two hours. Drive with someone else in the car whenever possible.

Mistake No. 5: Thinking Green Means Go

Why it matters: One in three Americans admitted to driving through a red light or stop sign without coming to a complete stop in a 2005 poll commissioned by Volvo Cars of North America in partnership with the National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs’ Association.
That means that even if you’ve got the green, you could be right, but you could be dead wrong.
What to do instead: Yield anyway, even if you have the right of way. Look both ways and then look both ways again. Know what it takes to bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
Don’t trust anyone, insists Bob Schaller, adviser to RoadtripAmerica.com and author of 70 Rules of Defensive Driving. “People trust the other driver to be predictable and do the right thing. They often do not, and we often do not. The result is the 138 people who die each day in traffic crashes on our streets and highways.”
- See more at: https://www.erieinsurance.com/auto-insurance/driving-safety/driving-mistakes#sthash.ZcC9656n.dpuf

Don’t become a victim of one of the 6.3 million car crashes that occur each year. Here are five critical mistakes good drivers make and what you can do to avoid them.

Mistake No. 1: Overconfidence

Why it matters: Think you’re a good driver? So do 99 percent of people on the road, according to a National Safety Council survey. Never mind that 93 percent fail to follow basic safety practices like turning off cell phones or obeying the speed limit.
Driving safety instructor Bob Green calls the phenomenon delusions of adequacy or “D.O.A.”
What to do instead: Acknowledge your vulnerability. And even with advanced vehicle safety features, don’t take it for granted that your car is going to protect you.

Mistake No. 2: Multi-tasking

Why it matters: A 2004 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute shows that driver distraction preceded almost 80 percent of crashes.
At 60 mph, you can cover a lot of ground fast — 30 yards per second or the length of a football field in the time it takes to unwrap a hamburger. If you veer off course, you’d better hope there isn’t a bicycle, pedestrian or vehicle in your way.
Driving under the influence of anything, including everyday distractions, is every bit as debilitating as drinking and driving, experts agree. That includes talking on a cell phone, hands-free or not.
Drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to get into a crash, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. And a handsfree phone doesn’t reduce the risk.
What to do instead: Think of yourself as an airplane pilot — check controls and settings before you take off.
“Train your eyes to look 12 seconds out so you can concentrate on what’s ahead,” says Green. “And remember: smart drivers just drive.”

Mistake No. 3: Failing to Secure Loose Objects

Why it matters: Loose items, from pets to pop cans, cause 13,000 injuries in accidents every year, according to the National Safety Council.
Remember high school physics? In a crash, your car comes to a sudden stop, but anything not battened down keeps moving at the same speed. At 30 mph even the smallest object becomes a dangerous projectile. Think of your 4.4-ounce cell phone as a deadly missile aiming for your toddler with a force of 11 pounds, or two bricks. Or imagine your 60-pound black lab hurling against the back seat with the might of 1,200 pounds.
What to do instead: Put your junk in the trunk. Luggage, laptops and other heavy objects are best stowed in a closed compartment or under a cargo net.
Never place objects on or near the airbag module; even a tissue box is nothing to sniff at when an airbag deploys. Keep pets secured in a latched cargo crate or with a doggy seatbelt.

Mistake No. 4: Drowsy Driving

Why it matters: More than half of American motorists admit to driving while drowsy and one in five say they actually nodded off or fell asleep at the wheel during the past 12 months, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“Fatigue is an impairment,” says Green. “You can’t play a good basketball game or a violin solo if you’re whooped. So why would you think you could drive?”
What to do instead: Pay attention to your body. Constant yawning, a nod of the head, heavy eyelids, blurred vision and lane drifting are warnings you may be on the verge of falling asleep.
If you’re tired, stop driving. Rolling down the window, drinking coffee and cranking up the stereo are only temporary fixes. You’ll feel more refreshed if you take a 20-minute power nap. On long trips, stop to stretch every 100 miles or two hours. Drive with someone else in the car whenever possible.

Mistake No. 5: Thinking Green Means Go

Why it matters: One in three Americans admitted to driving through a red light or stop sign without coming to a complete stop in a 2005 poll commissioned by Volvo Cars of North America in partnership with the National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs’ Association.
That means that even if you’ve got the green, you could be right, but you could be dead wrong.
What to do instead: Yield anyway, even if you have the right of way. Look both ways and then look both ways again. Know what it takes to bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
Don’t trust anyone, insists Bob Schaller, adviser to RoadtripAmerica.com and author of 70 Rules of Defensive Driving. “People trust the other driver to be predictable and do the right thing. They often do not, and we often do not. The result is the 138 people who die each day in traffic crashes on our streets and highways.”
- See more at: https://www.erieinsurance.com/auto-insurance/driving-safety/driving-mistakes#sthash.ZcC9656n.dpuf

The Buick Enclave: A New Way Of Thinking With Every Drive

Car models and brands fade in and out of popularity.  What’s new and exciting one minute can become stagnant and outdated before you know it.  In the fast-paced auto industry, the pressure to innovate is always on. When that pressure is at its worst, the professionals are separated from the amateurs.  Worthy brands rise to the occasion, and Buick is one that has stood the test of time.

A few years into the new millennium, Buick was called to rise to such an occasion.  As crossover vehicles flooded the market and a new generation got behind the wheel, a fresh way of thinking about Buick needed to be introduced.

That’s when Buick surprised everyone with the crossover vehicle that took the world by storm, destroyed its competition, and redefined the brand by giving it a fresh new face: the Buick Enclave.

Have you test driven the 2014 model?  It might just make you see the world in an entirely new light.

4 Buicks that make us wish we could freeze time

It is a sad but real truth: all good things must come to an end.  While we know that is the case, a stroll down memory lane never hurt anyone!  Here are four Buicks from "yesteryear" in their prime that we wish were still in production today:

Roadmaster

Century

Skylark

Reatta

Are We There Yet? How to Keep Your Sanity During Family Road Trips.

Sanity means everything when it comes to driving across country with the family in tow. While most road trips are typically riddled with a constant stream of mind numbing questions that all typically equate to “are we there yet?” We’ve come up with are top list of insanity stopping apps that will keep everyone in the family from trying to jump down each other's throats.

1.       Roadside America

For a trip down the strange and wonderful attractions that grace America’s roadside, there is no better app than Roadside America. Based off a coffee-table-book, this mobile-app provides its users with a glimpse into the oddball attractions that didn’t make it into the tour guide. From a 13-ton boulder carved into a likeness of John Wayne in Lubbock, Texas to the SPAM Museum in Austin, this mobile guide will take you to all of the USA’s uniquely odd attractions.

2.       RoadTrip Bingo

Long road trips are always a constant battle when children are involved. If it isn’t one thing it’s another, and it seems like the cycle never ends. Instead of the typical sibling rivalry that rears its ugly head in the back seat, turn their constant squabbling into a good-natured competitive game. RoadTrip Bingo is a mobile-app that combines I Spy with bingo by randomly displaying a picture of an object, such as an airplane, a pylon, or a horse. Once a child spies the appropriate image, they tap it on their bingo card. The first player to spot five objects in a row is dubbed the winner and gets to shout “Bingo”! While this may start to become a nuisance, it is still better than hearing the constant war cries of a battle being held in the back seat. 

3.       Fusic

For the parents that are faced with entertaining a teenager for hours on end, we recommend Fusic. Fusic is a mobile-app that plays off a teenager’s narcissistic tendency to take selfies and couples it with their love of music for the ultimate road trip distraction. Teens can choose a music video by a major artist and either, sing along or lip-sync to the performance. Once complete the app will generate a smooth blend between your teen’s performance and the singers in the music video. They can either share it online with other Fusic members or keep creating until you reach your final destination.

Life Hack 101: Buying a Pre-Owned Vehicle

Buying a pre-owned vehicle can be a stressful process. While no one can predict the experience you will have, here are a few tips to try and make the process an easy one.

Step 1: How Much Car Can You Afford?

A general guideline is that your monthly car payment should not be more than 20 percent of your take-home pay. However, people shop for cars with their hearts as well as their heads, and that can be a little dangerous.

Step 2: Build a Target List of Used Cars

To save money, consider buying a second-tier car, from the less popular — but still reliable — manufacturers. With this in mind, build a target list of three different cars that meet your needs and fall in your budget.You could also consider buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) car, which greatly simplifies the buying process. 
 
Step 3: Check Prices and Reviews
To see if the cars you are looking at fit into your budget, check True Market Value (TMV)^® pricing. It will show you what other people are paying for that car in your area. It will also show you of all the information you need to make a good buying decision: pricing, reviews, specs, fuel economy and lists of standard features. Also, use True Cost to Own (TCO)^® to see what other ownership expenses you are likely to incur.

Step 4: Locate Used Cars for Sale in Your Area

Begin searching for the cars on your target list. You can filter the search by many factors including distance, mileage, price and features to find exactly the car you want.

Step 5: Check the Vehicle History Report

Before you contact a used-car seller, you should get a vehicle history report for the car you're interested in buying. This is an essential first step: If the report is negative, you should not go any further with this car. You can access vehicle history reports, which are sold by several different companies, by the vehicle identification number (VIN) and even by license plate. AutoCheck and Carfax are the two best-known sources for vehicle history reports. These reports can reveal vital information about the used car, including whether it has a salvage title, which means it has been declared a total loss by the insurance company, or if the odometer has been rolled back.

Step 6: Contact the Seller

Once you find a good prospective car, call the seller before you go to see the vehicle. This is a good way to establish a relationship with the seller and verify the information in the ad. Sometimes the seller will mention something that wasn't in the ad that might change your decision to buy the car. Have our Used Car Question Sheet handy when you're calling to prompt you to ask key questions. You will notice that the last question is the asking price. Although many people are tempted to negotiate even before they have seen the car, it's better to wait. Once you see the car, you can tie your offer to its condition level. If, after talking to the seller, you are still interested in buying the car, set up an appointment for a test-drive. If possible, make this appointment during the daytime so you can see the car in natural lighting and more accurately determine its condition.

Step 7: Test-Drive the Car

Test-driving a used car not only tells you if this is the right car for you but also if this particular car is in good condition. On the test-drive, simulate the conditions of your normal driving patterns. If you do a lot of highway driving, be sure to take the car up to at least 65 mph. If you regularly go into the mountains, test the car on a steep slope. After the test-drive, ask the owner or dealer if you can see the service records to learn if the car has had the scheduled maintenance performed on time. Avoid buying a car that has been in a serious accident or has had major repairs such as transmission rebuilds, valve jobs or engine overhauls.

Step 8: Have the Car Inspected

If you like the way the car drives, you should have it inspected before you negotiate to buy it. A pre-purchase inspection can save you thousands of dollars. You can take the car to a trusted mechanic for a thorough inspection or request a mobile inspection. A private party will probably allow you to do this without much resistance. But at a dealership, it might be more difficult. If it is a CPO car, there is no reason to take it to a mechanic.

Step 9: Negotiate Your Best Deal
Negotiating with a private-party seller can be a quick and fairly relaxed process. Negotiating with a used-car salesman will take longer and can be stressful. Here are some basics about negotiating.

• Only enter into negotiations with a salesperson or private-party seller with whom you feel comfortable.
• Make an opening offer that is low, but in the ballpark based on your TMV research in Step 3.
• Decide ahead of time how high you will go and leave when you reach your limit.
• Always be prepared to walk out: This is your strongest negotiating tool.
• Be patient. Plan to spend an hour negotiating in a dealership, and less time for private parties.
• Leave the dealership if you get tired or hungry.
• Don't be distracted by dealer pitches for related items such as extended warranties or anti-theft devices.

Step 10: Close the Deal

If you are at a dealership, you'll conclude the deal in the finance and insurance (F&I) office. If you are buying a car from a private party, you just have to make sure that payment is final and that the seller properly transfers title and registration to you. In any case, it's important to close the deal so you avoid after-sale hassles. In both cases, you also need to make sure you have insurance for the car you just bought before you drive it away. Also, the F&I person will probably try to sell you a number of additional items: an additional warranty, anti-theft devices, prepaid service plans or fabric protection. Some people want the peace of mind that comes with extended warranties, so this is something you might want to consider (unless your used car is certified or still under the manufacturer's warranty). Review the dealership sales contract thoroughly. In most states, it lists the cost of the vehicle, a documentation fee, possibly a small charge for a smog certificate, sales tax and license fees. When you buy a car from a private party, either pay cash or provide a cashier's check. But before money changes hands, request the title (sometimes called the pink slip) and have the seller sign it over to you. Rules governing vehicle registration and licensing vary from state to state. Check the registry's Web site in your state.Once all of the paperwork is complete, it is finally time to relax and begin enjoying your new purchase: a good used car.

The 2014 Buick Enclave Interior - Simply Amazing

As soon as you take a seat in the 2014 Buick Enclave, you will immediately know what luxury is all about. Here are some of our favorite features. 

1) Premium leather seating and warm wood tones that create a relaxed and clean feel. 

2) The Enclave can save seat and mirror settings for up to 2 drives. That way switching drivers is never a pain. 

3) The eight-way power adjustable seats ensure that you receive the best ride possible. The recline feature is perfect for a long road trip! 

Come by for a test drive today! http://www.crownbuickgmc.com/

GAP Insurance: What It is and Why It’s Important

GAP stand for “Guaranteed Auto Protection” , and it’s critical for anyone who is leasing or purchasing a new car. It’s essentially an extra layer of insurance on top of your regular car insurance policy.

If your car suffers a total loss, standard coverage will provide the replacement value cost for your vehicle, or “book value”. The problem with this is that there is usually a significant difference between the “book value” of your vehicle, and your financial obligation to the leasing or auto financing company. Many times when a total loss occurs you can end up owing more than you are insured for. GAP Insurance will help cover the extra amount, so that you can get back on the road faster!