Summer Road Trip Hacks

If you've lived in Arkansas long enough, you know that the weather can be unpredictable — to say the least! At McLarty Daniel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat in Springdale, we've seen everything from week-long floods to mountains of snow. More times than not, weather like this can make the roads slick, dangerous, and downright scary. It's important to know how to deal with inclement weather if you are caught on the road or have to drive in an emergency situation. Shop Vehicles with AWD or 4×4 While staying put in bad weather is always the best option, we understand that there are times when it's unavoidable. In these situations, you can help yourself by preparing beforehand and using proper driving techniques. Follow these tips to navigate the roads safely during less-than-ideal weather. Ways to Prepare Before You Drive in Bad Weather Plan your route! Check the news, social media, local radio, or another trusted source. Information on road conditions, closures, and evacuation routes can help you stick to the shortest and safest roads. Create an emergency kit! Stock your vehicle with essentials like snacks, blankets, flashlights, and tools in case you get stuck on the road. Rapidly changing weather can catch you off-guard, so it's always best to be prepared. Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape! Regularly check your tires, brakes, headlights, and windshield wipers — especially in winter months. And, before departing, be sure that all of your windows are defrosted or cleared of debris for optimal visibility. Schedule a Check-Up with Our Service Team Things to Keep in Mind While Driving in Bad Weather: Drive slowly! This may seem obvious, but taking your time can reduce the chance of an accident dramatically. Slow, steady, thoughtful driving gives you more time to react to potential hazards. Go easy on both your brakes and gas pedal. Avoid cruise control! In snow, ice, slush, or heavy rain, you want to avoid using cruise control. This includes adaptive cruise control and any hands-free driving features. Dangerous road conditions may require immediate intervention, so relying on cruise control is definitely inadvisable. Leave extra room in front of your vehicle! Experts suggest doubling the distance between you and the car in front of you when driving in rain, snow, or sleet. Increased braking time is crucial in inclement weather! Look where you want to go! It helps to look far ahead in bad weather, as you are more likely to spot frozen patches or flooded areas. If you feel your car skidding, it also helps to focus on where you want to go, not where the vehicle is headed at that moment. Use your peripheral vision to guide you and help you regain control. Don't be afraid to pull over! It's never a convenient or fun option, but waiting out a storm can sometimes be the safest option. Finding a solid, low-traffic area to pull off the road can be a smart move, especially if the weather has severely compromised your visibility. However, if the weather is predicted to only get worse (like a snowstorm), you may need to press on. Amazingly Safe: The New Chrysler Pacifica Driving in inclement weather demands extra caution and preparedness. Whether it's planning your route, stocking your vehicle, or practicing safe driving habits, taking these precautions can make a significant impact on your safety! At McLarty Daniel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat in Springdale, Arkansas, we always want our customers to be as safe as possible. We hope these tips will help you navigate the roads confidently, should you need to brave that temperamental Arkansas weather!

The holiday season has officially started this month and that means more driving for lots of folks, from cross-country holiday travel to in-state road trips. The Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles we sell here at McLarty Daniel CDJRF of Springdale are superb at getting more miles out of a gallon due to innovations in engine management and design. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to maximize your efforts at saving money on engine fuel. As seen below, check out our tips for improving gas mileage. If your vehicle is not great at fuel economy, stop in today and check out the latest generation of powerful, fuel-efficient vehicles we have here at McLarty Daniel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Springdale. ALWAYS USE YOUR VEHICLE’S RECOMMENDED FUEL TYPE: It is crucial to follow your vehicle owner’s manual for what type of fuel to use. Vehicles are tested for the best performance using the most ideal type of fuel. While some drivers believe using higher-octane, more expensive grades of fuel will help them get better performance, most are fine using lower-octane blends. Check your owner’s manual for recommended fuel grades, however, and follow that advice. CHECK YOUR GAS CAP: As incredible as it might sound, having an old gas cap can lead to a vehicle not getting good fuel economy, The typical gas cap contains a rubber seal which creates airtight protection against air getting into our gas tanks, and as the seal ages, it can allow more air to pass into the tank and fuel vapor to leak out. Over time, that evaporation can cost a few tenths of a mile in fuel economy, which can really add up! EASY ON THE GAS PEDAL: A word to the wise, the faster your car accelerates, the greater the drag your vehicle will have to work against. More drag equals more gas burned. So remember to pull away from stops smoothly and evenly, without over-revving your engine. You’ll save more fuel and your wallet will thank you. KEEP YOUR TIRES AT THE CORRECT PRESSURE: One of the most effective ways to maintain fuel efficiency is the correct air pressure in your tires. Low air pressure increases the rolling resistance of your tires, which in turn makes the engine exert more energy. It is recommended to keep between 32 to 35 psi in your tires at all times. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended pressure for your vehicle. ENGINE IDLE: Engine idling can waste up to a gallon of gas for every hour your engine runs at idle. If you turn off your engine while you wait in a drive-thru, then restart your engine when you are ready, you will save a few more bucks and you’ll help the environment thanks to fewer emissions being released. We hope these tips will help you get better fuel efficiency from your vehicle. When you’re ready to buy a new vehicle, stop by McLarty Daniel CDJRF in Springdale. Let us help you find a vehicle that offers a better fuel economy and save your pocketbook. We hope to see you soon and safe travels! CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE MCLARTY DANIEL SALES TEAM

One way to have a great road trip this summer is by having helpful travel apps on your smart device. From finding directions to discovering sneaky speed traps, there is a travel app for every travel issue. We at McLarty Daniel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat in Springdale would like to suggest a few handy travel apps that will make your road trip a good one. If you need a new vehicle to start your vacation in the right direction, stop by and let us assist you in finding the vehicle that fits your needs. MASTER THE WEATHER: With frantic thunderstorms and coping with the grueling summer heat, the weather can put a damper on your travel fun. There are tons of available apps to help you avoid such nightmares. One weather travel app available is DriveWeather. It’s designed to help travelers avoid the worst weather conditions, with real-time updates and the latest meteorological info. The app even lets you track your best time to depart, providing radar views and the routes from one point to another that will be the most trouble-free weather-wise. FORGET THE GAS CAN: Risk it long enough, and the “E” on your gas gauge will stand for “Enjoy Walking” — particularly if you don’t know where the next gas station is located. Luckily for us all, there is one mobile app that is generally very accurate. GasBuddy helps you find places to fill up on gas at the cheapest price. It’s updated with info from real, everyday drivers like you, so you know the info is up to date. THE PIT STOPS: At one time or another we have all brought that extra-large, bladder-buster beverage along for the ride! A few quarts of soda and a few miles later, we have to make a bathroom stop. Not to fear, there are many travel apps that help you find clean public restrooms like SitOrSquat and Flush Toilet Finder. So when you’ve gotta go, find the phone. NO MORE TRAFFIC TICKETS: To avoid chatting with law enforcement over a traffic ticket by the side of the highway, check out Radarbot Free. Download it, and you’ll have a speed camera warning device, real-time traffic alerts, and an advanced speedometer, all in one useful application. But, please: drive safely and obey the speed limit anyway. Just because you can speed doesn’t mean you should. We hope these suggested travel apps are helpful for summer excursions enjoying quality family time, keeping things stress-free like it should be. If you are in the market to purchase a new vehicle for your adventures, don’t hesitate to contact your friends at McLarty Daniel CDJRF in Springdale. Let us assist you with your vehicle needs. CLICK HERE TO CONTACT MCLARTY DANIEL SALES TEAM