Perhaps you had considered a road trip this summer but wonder if high gas prices might cause you to have another staycation this year?

Don’t worry! You can still enjoy a road trip this summer and not pay through the nose! Keep reading and discover our best tips for saving on gas, as well as fantastic national parks that are closer than you might think.

Top Tips for Saving Gas

Saving gas is always a hot topic whenever gas prices climb. You can help keep your fuel costs as low as possible by using the following tips and advice:

1. Consider an Electric Vehicle
If you’ve already been thinking about trading in your old car, consider whether or not an electric vehicle can save you money. You’ll need to know how much per kilowatt-hour your electric company charges and how many hours your selected vehicle costs you to recharge it. You should also know how many miles the vehicle will go in between charges. If your chosen vehicle only goes 100 miles but you commute 55 miles each way, unless you can charge it near your work, you should choose another vehicle.

It’s interesting to note that a study from the US Department of Energy found that electric car owners saved as much as $14,500 on fuel costs if they keep an electric vehicle for 15 years. That’s just short of $1,000 a year, but it might be more since this study was done in 2019 when gas prices were lower than they are now.

Some locations, such as hotels or grocery stores, offer free charging when you solicit their business. Taking advantage of these can add to your savings.

2. Properly Maintain Your Vehicle
Too many people do limited or no maintenance on a vehicle until it breaks down. Simple maintenance such as tune-ups, tire rotation, keeping the proper air pressure in your tires, changing to synthetic oil, changing the air filter regularly, and following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule will go a long way towards making your car more fuel-efficient.

The experts at My Mechanic can perform all of the above and show you how to properly maintain tire pressure. Call us today about our monthly special offers.

3. Monitor Your Driving Habits
The fact is that the faster you drive, the more gas your car will use. Observe speed limits and avoid rabbit starts from a dead stop. Using cruise control on long drives will help save gas by avoiding fluctuations in speed. Use the “fast pass” lanes on toll roads. These help to eliminate slowing down or stopping to pay cash. Also, remember to avoid excessive idling. A good rule of thumb is that if your vehicle will be idling for one minute or less, leave the car running. If it is idling for more than one minute, turn off the motor.

4. Driver Smarter
If you have more than one vehicle, use the smallest vehicle/engine for the job. For example, if you are a solo commuter and own both a V-8 SUV and a sub-compact car, take the sub-compact. If you are running errands, drive a circular route so that you don’t backtrack. When possible, drive to a central location and walk to your errands.

5. Check Prices Before You Fill Up
Using an app such as Gas Buddy can help you keep track of where prices are lowest. Even 2 cents difference per gallon will make a difference over time, especially when you have a 25 -gallon gas tank to fill!

Small steps like these can make a huge difference in your gas mileage and the price you pay for fuel.

The Road Trip is Still On!

If you thought that high gas prices would make a summer road trip impossible, check out these three national parks. All are within a 3-hour drive from Chicago and are filled with fun activities for the whole family.

1. Indiana Dunes National Park
A mere 60-minute drive from Chicago, if you haven’t been here, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

This national park has some of the most challenging hiking terrain in the Midwest. With beautiful views of Lake Michigan, you’ll see plenty of ponds, black oak forests, swamps, and dunes that make up a sandy beach. You can stop at the Albanese Candy Factory in Merrillville for some sweet treats or rent a beach house in New Buffalo, Michigan, and watch the kids play on the playground.

2. Ice Age National Scenic Trail
A short 2-hour drive will transport you back in time to when much of North America lay underneath a huge ice glacier.

If you’ve got children who love dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber-tooth cats, this is the perfect summer vacation trip.

There is a hiking trail that traces the glacier’s edge, along with nature walks, camping, biking, and horseback riding.

The kids will love seeing the local wildlife and shooting stars at night while eating s’mores and telling ghost stories by the fire.

3. I & M Canal National Heritage Park
This little jewel is just short of a 2-hour drive from Chicago and there is so much to see here, that you’ll want to spend more time than you had originally planned.

Back in 1848, a 96-mile canal (all dug by hand) was created to connect the heartland to New York and New Orleans. This canal was used by Native Americans, French fur traders, pioneers, and more.

Today, this area includes the Isle a la Cache Museum, the Reddick Mansion, the Navy Pier, along with the I&M Canal Visitor Center, where you can take a mule-pulled boat trip down the canal.

Mom and dad can relax at some of the delightful restaurants, such as the Tallgrass restaurant or Nick’s Tavern, while the kids check out the Chicagoland Speedway or Lemont Quarry.

There are so many terrific things to see and do that are very close to home. Plan your road trip and see the beauty of our national parks this year!

My Mechanic is Here for You

At least two weeks before your trip, make an appointment for a summertime check-up with My Mechanic.

We will be happy to inspect your vehicle, do any required service, and let you know if we see anything that might need replacing, such as belts, hoses, tires, or other items.

Nothing will spoil a road trip faster than a breakdown, so a summer safety inspection is one of the cheapest ways to ensure your peace of mind this year.

Call us for an appointment today so you won’t be sorry tomorrow.

Safe travels and enjoy your summer!

The post Higher Gas Prices and Summer Road Trips appeared first on My Mechanic Inc. | Elmhurst - Clarendon Hills Auto Repair Experts.

The truth, however, is that there are multiple aspects and questions about changing the oil on your ride than meet the eye.

Perhaps the biggest three questions that the mechanics at My Mechanic hear most often include the three W’s- When, What, and Who.

The Three Big W’s

You may not give your car’s oil a second thought, but when people do, they frequently ask:

1. When does the oil in my car need to be changed?
The answer to this one isn’t as simple as it might sound. Sure, you can always go with the oil manufacturer’s recommended mileage, or you could follow your car manufacturer’s recommended mileage or you could follow the advice you get from your dad, aunt, or grandparents but when all three answers are different ones, which do you choose as the right one?

Pre-2000, the recommended mileage for oil changes was 3,500 miles but is this necessary? Today’s modern engines frequently use synthetic oil or a synthetic blend and if you read the owner’s manual, chances are that it says 5,000-7,500 miles.

Some vehicles even have oil change indicators, which rely on the mileage interval pre-programmed at the factor combined with your mileage.

Which is the right number? Generally speaking, if you don’t drive in extreme conditions, then 5,000 to 7,500 is usually a good indicator. The same is true if you use a synthetic or a synthetic blend. If the oil manufacturer says to change the oil every 15,000, then chances are that you can rely on that mileage.

What are extreme conditions? If you run a lot of short errands or drive less than 10 miles before you shut off the engine, if you live in an area that is very dusty or muddy, if you do deliveries and turn the car off and on frequently or if you drive in very hot weather, your usage is considered extreme and oil changes should be done more frequently.

Still confused? Stop by My Mechanic and talk to one of our experts about what type of mileage you can expect to get out of an oil change based on the age of your vehicle and your driving habits.

2. What type of oil should I use in my car?
First, check the owner’s manual to see what type of oil the manufacturer recommends. Even if your vehicle uses conventional motor oil, you still have the option of using synthetic oil or a synthetic blend.

Not sure what those are? Let’s look at the 4 basic types of engine oil:

• Conventional: This oil comes to us via refined crude oil. It’s inexpensive but it doesn’t last as long, nor does it do well in high temps.
• Synthetic: Full synthetic engine oil is an artificial oil but it offers more protection than conventional oils. This is the most expensive oil and it has superior engine wear protection, it performs well even in extremely high heat, and it is much more durable than conventional oils. Some synthetic oils claim to last 25,000 miles.
• Synthetic Blend: This mixture tries to offer the best of both worlds by mixing conventional oil and synthetic oil. This gives your vehicle some of the benefits of synthetic oil but at a lower cost.
• High Mileage: This oil is designed to meet the needs of vehicles that have more than 75,000 miles on the odometer. This type of oil is a bit more expensive than conventional oils due to the high number of additives.

What type of oil should you use in your vehicle? This will depend on what the manufacturer recommends, your driving habits, and what you are willing to pay.

If you use your vehicle for towing or hauling very heavy items frequently, if you live in an area that is very dusty or dirty, your vehicle might benefit from synthetic oil.

3. Who should change the oil?
This seems like a no-brainer, but the answer isn’t as obvious as it might appear.

The perfect person to change the oil in your vehicle is an ASE-certified mechanic who will not just change the oil and filter, but someone who will inspect your vehicle for any possible problems while they are doing this job.

Oh yes, and let’s not forget that this person needs to have a place to dispose of the used oil that is environmentally friendly.

An ASE-certified mechanic, like the ones here at My Mechanic, will inspect the air filters, tire pressure, belts, and hoses, to name a few.

You might be shocked at the number of people who avoid breakdowns and the costly consequences of breaking down at certain times simply because a mechanic spotted a problem as they were changing the oil.

You can trust the experts at My Mechanic to give your car a thorough once over to ensure that everything appears to be In good working order.

That’s the peace of mind that every driver wants, right? Knowing that your vehicle is in the best possible condition and ready for whatever lies ahead.

The Oil Change Habit That Can Boost Mileage

Synthetic oil allows for lower viscosity and still protects from wear and better cold flow than conventional oils. This can lead to increased fuel economy.

Since synthetic oil is more “slippery”, it reduces friction inside the motor. If you can imagine sliding on the ice on a piece of plastic or sliding on a waxed piece of plastic, you can picture how the more slippery waxed plastic will go faster.

Of course, bad driving habits can offset any mileage benefits of synthetic oil, but most people experience enough of a difference in their MPG that once they try synthetic oil, they stick with it.

The Bottom Line

While synthetic motor oils hold up better for more miles, they do cost more and no oil will last forever.

Getting regular oil changes is what is important and you can ask the pros at My Mechanic when you should get your next oil change if you are unsure.

Is it almost time for your next service? Call the friendly staff at My Mechanic right now for an appointment. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing your ride has been approved for that road trip you’ve been thinking about.

The post Top Questions Everyone Asks about Oil Changes appeared first on My Mechanic Inc. | Elmhurst - Clarendon Hills Auto Repair Experts.