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Helpful Tips to Avoid Holiday Traffic, Part 2

As we stated in “Helpful Tips to Avoid Holiday Traffic, Part 1,” it is essential to become familiar with the street names, exit numbers, and alternative routes before heading out. For example, when you’re traveling on a congested highway and know your exit is coming up, you can think ahead and not wait until the last minute to merge. It’s thought that merging at the last minute is the cause of around 40% of traffic congestion.

Prevent Breakdowns

Breakdowns and accidents cause a lot of traffic jams. Stop by Jiffy Lube for an inspection and an oil change in Brevard, NC, before you hit the road for the holidays. That way any threatening issues can be addressed before your road trip.

Use Traffic Apps

Before you head out, check your favorite source for traffic updates. Google shows real-time traffic conditions, and there are a variety of apps and websites (along with radio stations) that provide current traffic reports. Plan alternative routes as needed.

Check the Weather

Rain and snow often contribute to traffic delays. Consider the forecast and plan accordingly. You may need to allow for extra time if rain or snow is predicted.

Be Prepared

Prior to long trips, make sure your emergency kit is stocked and packed in your vehicle. Check the tire pressure in your spare tire and make sure your jack, lug nut wrench, and tools are in place. A quick check will confirm that you are prepared to handle a flat tire or other auto emergency on the road.

Helpful Tips to Avoid Holiday Traffic, Part 1

The holidays are always the busiest times on the roads. Winter’s holiday season brings unpredictable weather and road conditions across the country, which makes long road trips a bit stressful. Before you start on your long holiday journey, bring your vehicle in for an auto inspection in Brevard, NC, from Jiffy Lube. Our mechanics will thoroughly inspect your vehicle, fix any minor issues before they become costly repairs, and give you the peace of mind you need to embark safely on the road. Additional tips to help keep you and your family safe and secure in your vehicle along the way to your destination include:

Plan

If you have the time, it’s best to avoid traveling on the busiest days. Also, if possible, don’t use major highways during rush hour (7–10 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.). Save time and trouble by planning your route ahead of time, or use a GPS or smartphone to identify alternative routes.

Stay Alert

It sounds obvious, but when you are driving in heavy traffic or slick winter road conditions, pay strict attention. That means you should avoid distractions like the radio and your cell phone, to focus only on the road ahead. Staying alert enables you to react to changing road conditions faster, stay safer, and avoid congestion.

The Importance of Changing Your Oil Filter

If the oil filter in your vehicle is not good quality, it can shorten the life of your engine and cause other parts to fail as well. As the oil passes through the filter, it is cleaned, which prevents abrasive contaminants from damaging the engine parts. While the oil filter may not seem like a big part of your car’s lubrication system it plays an important role in protecting your engine from premature wear. With a high-quality oil filter, the moving parts in the engine are properly cleaned and lubricated. Sometimes small pieces of metal chips get into the engine while it’s running. If these tiny pieces penetrate the oil, they could break off other bits of metal, and possibly cause erosion in the engine. That’s why it is recommended to use a quality oil filter to prevent this kind of destruction.

Filtration efficiency is the term used for one of the standards that determine the quality of an oil filter. Another standard—particle size retention—measures how well a filter retains particles of different sizes. Also, a quality filter must meet the standard capacity for holding dirt. This includes the amount of contaminants that can be removed and held by the filter until the filter no longer works.

Be sure you get a high-quality oil filter from Jiffy Lube. Visit JiffyLubeofWNC.com to learn more about getting a quick lube in Hendersonville, NC.

Fast Facts about Motor Oil

Did you ever wonder what motor oil was made from or where it comes from? If so, read on to find some fast facts about the motor oil we use in our cars, trucks, and SUVs. The majority of motor oils are made from a weighty, thick petroleum hydrocarbon base stock that comes from crude oil, and has been improved with additives.

The motor oil we use comes from several countries that produce petroleum and oil. You may not know that Canada is the biggest exporter of oil to the United States and supplies a large percent of the annual consumption. Saudi Arabia is the second biggest exporter of oil to the U.S. The following are some of the additional fast facts for information about motor oil:

Mechanical components like transmissions and brakes also use motor oils.
Synthetic engine oil protects your vehicle under extreme conditions. However, it does not substantially increase performance or efficiency.
Motor oils have different ratings and viscosity for different components.
The three types of motor oils are mineral/regular, Semi-synthetic, and Synthetic. Your vehicle manufacturer recommends the SAE international rating of your oil to match that of the vehicle.
The faster you drive, the more stress is induced on your vehicle components, so you may need to get your oil changed more often.
Dark motor oil does not indicate an oil change.
Consult with your mechanic about the ideal time for an oil change in Brevard, NC, at Jiffy Lube or refer to your car’s owner’s manual.
Make sure filters are replaced when you get an oil change.

Safety Items to Keep in Your Trunk, Part 2

As we wrote in “Safety Items to Keep in Your Trunk, Part 1,” it pays to be prepared on the road. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing that, while you may not ever use the safety items in your trunk, they are there to keep you comfortable in the event of an emergency. To continue our tips on the best safety items to travel with in your trunk, we suggest that you put together a kit that can sustain you for a few days. For example, your kit might contain a battery-powered radio, snacks with a long-term shelf life, a solar blanket, and several gallons of drinkable water. More safety items to keep in your trunk include the following:

Triangle and Flares: If your vehicle breaks down you want to safety warn others on the road to keep a distance around you. Use reflective triangles and flares at night to provide a bright way to alert other drivers you have an emergency.

First Aid Kit: It’s easy to buy a ready-made kit with basic items such as Band-Aids, anti-bacterial creams, and gauze in the event of an injury on the road.

Flashlight: If you break down at night, you definitely want to have a flashlight. You may also use it in daylight if you are looking into areas that have very little light available. Keep fresh batteries around for extras in case you need them.

The team at Jiffy Lube of Hendersonville & Brevard wants to ensure all of our customers are as safe as possible on the road. Be sure to stop by for a quick lube in Hendersonville, NC, to ensure your vehicle is a well-maintained machine.

Safety Items to Keep in Your Trunk, Part 1

No matter how safe a driver you are or how well you maintain your car, things can happen while you’re on the road that you aren’t able to foresee. That’s why you want to keep a number of “just in case” items in your trunk so that you are as prepared as possible for any kind of emergency. Some of the key items to travel with in your trunk include the following:

Jumper Cables: It’s unlikely that you will ever be able to predict when your car battery may die. That’s why it makes sense to keep jumper cables ready for use when you need them. You can’t depend on others on the road because not everyone travels with jumper cables, and those that do may not be ready to stop and help you. Another plus is that you’ll be able to help someone else out if they need a jump.

Air Compressor and Tire Sealer: You may not have a jack or even know how to change a tire. If so, you want to invest in a compressor and tire sealer because the tire sealer can seal a leak while the compressor inflates your tire until you get to the tire shop.

Duct Tape: Duct tape works for so many broken parts—from taping a broken rearview mirror to keeping a dangling headlight in place. It may not be permanent, but duct tape can aid in keeping you safe until you can make the more long-term fix.

Stay safe when you keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance with an oil change in Brevard, NC, at Jiffy Lube.

The Different Kinds of Engine Oil

It can be easy to put off getting the oil changed in your vehicle, but there are consequences that you don’t want to risk happening to you. Skipping an oil change can result in the parts of your engine becoming too hot, which causes the engine to run less efficiently. Eventually, the engine parts may even wear out and cause the engine to shut down. If that happens, you are facing a pricy engine replacement or even having to buy a new car. There are reasons why you need to ensure your vehicle has regular oil changes.

The Function of Oil

The most important function of oil is to lubricate the engine and remove the heat away from your engine. The circulation of oil in your vehicle lubricates the engine components that work together to make your car operational. Oil is needed to draw away the heat that is produced by the engine.

The Purpose of Changing the Oil

As the oil moves around the engine, it also picks up dirt and debris. Eliminating dirt and debris are good for the engine, but over time the oil gets too dirty to be effective, which is why the oil has to be changed on a regular basis.

Take advantage of a quick lube in Hendersonville, NC, from Jiffy Lube of Hendersonville & Brevard. Find our oil change coupons and offers at JiffyLubeofWNC.com/.

Consequences of Not Getting an Oil Change

The Function of Oil

The Purpose of Changing the Oil

Take advantage of a quick lube in Hendersonville, NC, from Jiffy Lube of Hendersonville & Brevard. Find our oil change coupons and offers at JiffyLubeofWNC.com/.

Benefits of Maintaining Your Commercial Vehicles

In order to keep your commercial fleet in tip-top shape, it pays to practice preventive maintenance on a regular basis. When the vehicles in your fleet are regularly inspected, repaired, and maintained to prevent small issues from growing into big ones, you can be assured of more safety from accidents and violations. By maximizing the safety, performance, and efficiency of your fleet, you can be confident that your vehicles continue to run just as they should. Jiffy Lube of Hendersonville & Brevard in North Carolina provides affordable fleet services that cover all of the following:

Oil Changes
Inspections of:
- Brake Fluid, Serpentine Belts, Wiper Blades, Coolant Levels, Air Filters & Systems, Chassis
Fluid Checks & Filling of:
- Tire Pressure, Transmission Fluid, Differential Fluid, Transfer Case Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Windshield Washer Fluid, Battery Water
Cleaning of: Exterior Windows and Vacuuming of Interior Floors

Preventive maintenance of your commercial fleet saves you money in the long run. Your vehicles will be in the best possible condition at all times, which will help to avert any emergencies while maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of your fleets. Visit JiffyLubeofWNC.com to find out how we can help you maintain your commercial fleet as well as provide regular oil change service in Brevard and Hendersonville.

Signs You Need an Oil Change

When the oil in your car is decomposing, it can be tainted with dirt, dust, and engine debris. If your engine gets dirty or corroded oil it may be significantly affected. Your car’s engine will run less efficiently, and may even become seriously damaged. There’s even a chance that your car engine will completely shut down if the oil is not changed. Some of the signs that indicate it’s time for you to have your oil changed are:

Vehicle Feels Sluggish
Noisy Engine
Low Oil Pressure
Oil Light On
Rough Idle
Sluggish Accelerating

Also, if your car makes a ticking noise when you start it, it may be due to dirty or contaminated oil. When your engine is running, it continuously pumps oil throughout the crankcase and cylinders. If that fresh oil is dirty and contaminated, there will most likely be some valve train noise in the form of ticking. Dirty oil can also make your engine shake because there is more friction between the pistons, rings, and bearings. Poor lubrication impacts how the engine accelerates as well.

Come to Jiffy Lube when you need an efficient oil change in Hendersonville, NC. We serve many customers throughout Hendersonville and Brevard in North Carolina. Contact us with any questions you may have.

We look forward to serving you soon.