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While the dates on the calendar indicate it’s still officially spring, hot summer-like weather is already here. And, that has us thinking about summer preventative maintenance for your vehicle.

Preventative maintenance any time of year is something you should pay attention to as a savvy car owner. That’s because taking your car to your local auto repair shop for routine maintenance is one of the best things you can do to protect your investment and keep it running smoothly. Small problems can be discovered and fixed before they become bigger, more expensive problems down the road.

As we head into the summer months, though, maintenance for your vehicle becomes even more important if you live here in Arizona. That’s because our extreme summer temperatures can have a significant effect on many vehicle parts and systems. Do yourself and your vehicle a favor by starting on summer preventative maintenance now. Let’s take a look at a few things that should be inspected or addressed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 6, 2022) — The cost of a barrel of oil is nearing $120, nearly double from last August, as increased oil demand outpaces the tight global supply. Meanwhile, domestic gasoline demand rose last week in the wake of a robust Memorial Day weekend of travel. As a result, the national average for a gallon of gas surged 25 cents in one week to hit $4.86.

“People are still fueling up, despite these high prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “At some point, drivers may change their daily driving habits or lifestyle due to these high prices, but we are not there yet.”

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 17, 2022) – The unofficial start to summer will be a busy one this year as AAA predicts 39.2 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend. This is an increase of 8.3% over 2021, bringing travel volumes almost in line with those in 2017. Air travel continues to rebound, up 25% over last year, the second-largest increase since 2010. With volumes closing in on pre-pandemic levels, AAA urges travelers to book now and remember flexibility is key this Memorial Day weekend.

“Memorial Day is always a good predictor of what’s to come for summer travel,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. “Based on our projections, summer travel isn’t just heating up, it will be on fire. People are overdue for a vacation and they are looking to catch up on some much-needed R&R in the coming months.”

Displaying the highway death toll on message boards is a common awareness campaign, but new research from the University of Toronto and University of Minnesota shows this tactic actually leads to more crashes.

A new study in Science by University of Toronto Assistant Professor Jonathan D. Hall and U of M Carlson School of Management Assistant Professor Joshua Madsen evaluated the effect of displaying crash death totals on highway message boards (e.g., "1669 deaths this year on Texas roads"). Versions of highway fatality messages have been displayed in at least 27 US states.

Their study focuses on Texas, where officials chose to display these messages only one week each month. The researchers compared crash data from before the campaign (Jan. 2010 -- July 2012) to after it started (Aug. 2012 -- Dec. 2017) as well as examined the weekly differences within each month during the campaign. They found:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 16, 2022) — With the national average cost for regular gas steadily climbing, three states—Georgia, Kansas, and Oklahoma—are still holdouts for crossing the $4 per gallon mark. The national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.48. The increase is primarily due to the high cost of crude oil, which is hovering near $110 a barrel.

“The high cost of oil, the key ingredient in gasoline, is driving these high pump prices for consumers,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Even the annual seasonal demand dip for gasoline during the lull between spring break and Memorial Day, which would normally help lower prices, is having no effect this year.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 3.6 million bbl to 225 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand also decreased slightly from 8.86 million b/d to 8.7 million b/d. Typically, lower demand would put downward pressure on pump prices. However, crude prices remain volatile, and as they surge, pump prices follow suit. Pump prices will likely face upward pressure as oil prices stay above $105 per barrel.

“Our small but mighty TGK Arizona team at the JDRF #onewalkaz this past Saturday! It was awesome seeing our community get together to support a great cause. We're proud to be a part of the effort to end childhood diabetes.”

About TGK Automotive

TGK Automotive of Chandler is your headquarters for cutting edge auto repair in Chandler, AZ. Their staff has over 100 years of combined experience along with the most advance computerized diagnostics equipment and software to bring your vehicle back to its prime condition - we get it right the first time. This approach to auto repair leads to an experience of unparalleled quality in vehicle maintenance.

Click Here for More Information about TGK Automotive in Chandler, AZ

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 25, 2022) — The recent dip in pump prices has reversed, with the national average for a gallon of regular gas rising four cents over the past week to $4.12. Upward pricing pressure on concerns that less Russian oil will enter the global market is countered by fears of a COVID-induced economic slowdown in China, the world’s leading oil consumer. These opposing forces are causing the oil price to hover around $100 a barrel.

“As long as the price of oil stays elevated, the price at the pump will struggle to fall,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Consumers may be catching a little break from March’s record-high prices, but don’t expect any dramatic drops.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by nearly 1 million bbl to 232.3 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand increased slightly from 8.73 million b/d to 8.86 million b/d. Although supply and demand factors would have typically supported elevated pump prices, the fluctuating oil price continues to be the main factor influencing prices at the pump.

Glen Hayward of Good Works Auto Repair was on Channel 3 News discussing ways you can save money on gas by making sure your tires are inflated and planning your trips.

MOUNT LAUREL TOWNSHIP, NJ, March 14, 2022 -- Toyota Motor North America marked another milestone with the sale of its 7 millionth Toyota Certified Used Vehicle (TCUV) to Wayne Maver Jr. The 20-year-old from Vincentown, New Jersey, purchased the 2019 Toyota Camry from Holman Toyota.

To celebrate the purchase, Toyota presented Maver Jr. with a check for the total purchase price of the Camry. The dealership and automaker also made a $5,000 donation in his name to the American Bladder Cancer Society, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of bladder cancer and advocating for research into a cure, treatment, early diagnosis and quality of life issues of survivors.

"I wasn't expecting anything like this," Maver said during the check presentation. "I purchased this Camry because of its reliability, and I knew it would last a long time. Now knowing I don't have a car payment is just incredible, especially as I'm just starting my career. I have an uncle that battled bladder cancer, so Toyota making the donation to the American Bladder Cancer Society means as much to me as paying off my Camry."

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 10, 2022 -- More Americans are researching green vehicles as gas prices climb to record levels, according to the experts at Edmunds, an online car shopping resource that generates more than 20 million visits every month. On-site shopper consideration of green vehicle (hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric) pages on Edmunds jumped 39% over the past month[1] and increased 18% over the last week[2]. Of the shoppers who visited Edmunds during the week ending March 6, 17.9% researched a green vehicle.

Edmunds analysts estimate that green vehicles made up 6.2% and battery electric vehicles (EVs) 2.6% of all new vehicle purchases in 2021. In 2020, they estimate that green vehicles made up 4.2% and EVs 1.9% of all new vehicle purchases.

On-site shopper consideration of green vehicle pages on Edmunds jumped 39% over the past month