Grand Prix Performance - Costa Mesa, CA

Grand Prix Performance wants you and your family to stay safe on the roads this winter. Many of you might be heading up to the mountains for some fun. By following these tips and advice, you’ll be ready for the winter driving.

1. Prepare Yourself: 

• Knowledge:  Before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions.  Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits.  If the weather is bad remember, Ice and Snow, Take it Slow, or just don’t go.
• Clear:  Remove any snow on your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights and signals.  Make sure you can see and be seen.
• Inspect:  Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses.  A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.
• Time:  Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely.  It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.

2. When You See Snow:

When driving in winter weather, watch out!  Mother Nature has some tricks up her sleeve in the winter.  Here are some to be on the look out for:

• First Snow or Ice:  Drivers often aren’t prepared for winter driving and forget to take it slow.  Remember to drive well below the posted speed limit and leave plenty of room between cars.
• Black Ice:  Roads that seem dry may actually be slippery – and dangerous.  Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady areas – all are hot spots for black ice.  Remember, Ice and Snow, Take it Slow.
• Limited Visibility: Stay attentive and reduce speed.  Know what’s going on around you.
• Four-Wheel Drive:  On snow and ice, go slowly, no matter what type of vehicle you drive.  Even if you have an SUV with four-wheel drive you may not be able to stop any faster, or maintain control any better, once you lose traction.  Four-wheel drive may get you going faster, but it won’t help you stop sooner.

These days, every little bit you can save at the pump helps especially if you’re planning a long haul. So how can you get the most bang for your gas buck?

1. Keep up with preventative maintenance.

It’s a simple fact: Well–maintained rides are more fuel efficient. Be sure to:

• Use the correct oil for your vehicle and style of driving. Heavy (high viscosity) oil will cause your car’s engine to work harder. Use the lightest grade of oil for your climate and season. Consult your owner’s manual to find out what grade is best suited for you.

• Maintain tire pressure and inspect tires. Every other fill, inspect your tires for under–inflation and excessive tread wear. Be sure to check manufacturer’s specifications/owner’s manual for proper inflation and rotation schedules. Also, consider low–profile tires. Larger tires can greatly reduce fuel efficiency.

• Make sure your coolant is mixed properly. Improperly mixed engine coolant can cause your engine to run hot and hamper fuel economy.

• Replace dirty filters. Dirty or clogged air and fuel filters can cause your car to work harder. A new and properly functioning air or fuel filter will provide better gas mileage.