When winter weather sets in, your car needs extra protection from the elements. Don't be caught unprepared on the road. Automotive expert Lauren Fix, The Car Coach visits Detroit with helpful car care tips and automotive products to keep your car well maintained, cleaned, and ready to take on winter roads.

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Changes in maintenance schedules due to advanced vehicle and fluid technology have changed vehicle service needs. Most motorists manage oil-change services appropriately but miss other critical maintenance items, according to a survey of AAA's nationwide network of Approved Auto Repair shops.

Eighty-eight percent of repair shops find that motorists frequently skip brake fluid service. Other commonly missed items noted by repair providers include proper battery checks (82 percent), transmission fluid maintenance (81 percent), tire maintenance (78 percent) and engine coolant (77 percent).

WORCESTER, Mass., Nov. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With the average age of cars on the road today at an all-time high and gas prices low, vehicle maintenance is increasingly important, particularly during the busy holiday season.  Before a long road trip, even small maintenance tasks can increase vehicle safety and minimize more costly repair problems down the road.

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) offers five simple tips before hitting the road this holiday season to help improve travel safety:

CARSON, Calif., Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflecting the reality of the cars on today's roads, AutoMD.com has updated its list of Ten Really Expensive Auto Service and Repair Mistakes to Avoid to include older vehicles (over 100,000 miles) and hybrids.

"The age of vehicles on the roads today is at a record high, more and more consumers are driving electric/hybrid vehicle models, and nearly half of consumers say they spend $500 or more on auto repairs a year (with 1 in 6 spending $1,000 plus)," said Brian Hafer, VP of Marketing for AutoMD.com. "So avoiding costly repair mistakes is key, whether vehicles have the newest technology or are well past middle age, which is why we put together this updated list of 'mistakes to avoid.'"

The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has fallen for 60 consecutive days, reaching today’s price of $2.81 per gallon. This is seven cents less than one week ago, one quarter less than one month ago and 46 cents less than one year ago. Today’s price is the least expensive since November 4, 2010 and motorists are on target to pay the lowest averages at the Thanksgiving holiday since 2009, when the national average price was $2.63 per gallon.

Across the country motorists are enjoying low prices due to production exceeding demand and relatively few issues at local refineries. Consumers in South Carolina and Missouri are paying the nation’s lowest average price at the pump, $2.57 per gallon, and 38 states are posting averages below the $3.00 per gallon threshold.

Before you pack up the car to head home for the holidays, the Car Care Council reminds you to make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey. Conducting a thorough vehicle inspection will help you avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down miles away from home.

“It’s easy to remember to get your family ready for the holiday festivities, but what about preparing the car that’s going to get you there?” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Having a pre-inspection performed on your car will give you peace of mind as you travel and help make your journey safer.”

Gobble Gobble- Preventative Maintenance to Stay on the RoadWhile you’re busy preparing for another holiday season, don’t let car care take a back seat. Neglected auto care almost always means much higher costs down the road in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value. The non-profit Car Care Council recommends that you be car care aware to ensure your car doesn’t gobble up your hard-earned money.

“If you’re like most Americans, you’re busier than ever this time of year and may find yourself putting off vehicle maintenance,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It’s important to remember that routine auto care means big savings by improving fuel economy, extending vehicle life and reducing the chance of costly car trouble.” 

The Car Care Council suggests a quick vehicle check to help avoid the unplanned expense of a breakdown when traveling by car this holiday season.

• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

If you're headed over the river and through the woods this holiday season, make sure your car is prepared for the cold weather ahead. Automotive expert Lauren Fix, The Car Coach shares these important holiday travel tips on The Weather Channel.

-Curt’s Auto Repair, Phoenix Arizona has been known for delivering quality Vehicle repair since 1987. Although young by some people’s standards, it is not uncommon to hear tales of their superior workmanship and customer service. This stems from their high profile code of ethics, making such statements as "showing Personal Obligation to each customer" is what wins the heart of any individual who requires their services.

Curt’s Auto Repair, Phoenix Arizona has been known for delivering quality Vehicle repair since 1987. Although young by some people’s standards, it is not uncommon to hear tales of their superior workmanship and customer service. This stems from their high profile code of ethics, making such statements as "showing Personal Obligation to each customer" is what wins the heart of any individual who requires their services.

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For over 30 years S&S Tire and Auto Repair has provided quality service to Surprise, Peoria and Goodyear Arizona. Specializing in everything that your vehicle rides on, S & S tire carries recognized and trusted brands for standard and performance tires like Michelin, BF Goodrich and Pirelli. Another cool thing I noticed is that S&S also provides tires for other uses as well, including lawn mowers, tractors and all terrain vehicles.

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