Fight skyrocketing gas prices by taking control of your vehicle’s unnecessary fuel consumption. As fuel prices continue to rise, there are some easy maintenance tips that can help make the most of your gallon and save money this summer.

The first one is easy. Please be sure that your tires are at the proper inflation. Know the proper pressure for your year, make, and model. Tire pressure should be checked weekly. Always check the tire pressure in the morning when the vehicle is cold. Proper tire inflation can save as much as two miles to the gallon.

Another way to save about 10 percent on your fuel economy is by changing your engine air filter regularly. * While you’re under the hood, inspect those spark plugs too. A lot of fuel can be wasted if just one spark plug is not firing correctly.

A tight gas cap will ensure that your fuel loss through evaporation will be at a minimum. Believe it or, last year 147 million gallons of gas evaporated because owners did not tighten the vehicle’s gas caps properly.*

The best fuel economy results from using the manufacturer recommend octane. Using the lower grade does not save money in the long run.

Do not drive aggressively and observe the speed limits. A steady, consistent pace is always best. Happy motoring!! *National Transportation and Safety Board

Spring is finally here!! This is a great time to take a walk around your vehicle and take note of any imperfections that may have arisen from winter driving. Not only do you want your vehicle to operate to it's maximum performance mechanically but you want it to look it's best too!!

Did you know that a properly maintainted vehicle on the outside could enhance your vehicle's fuel mileage, increase trade-in value, and help avoid penalties when your lease is over?

If you have a few blemishes on your vehicle, a scratch, or a dent, it isn't always necessary to employ the full services of a body shop. A wet sand, buff and wax, touch up, dent removal, interior trim repair, and cosmetic wheel repair are all inexpensive repairs that can be performed in a timely fashion right here at Bernardi Audi. You'll be amazed at the way minor dents and dings are removed while preserving the integrity of the original factory paint or how a wheel can look like new without having to replace it!!

And a professional interior and exterior detail helps protect your vehicle's surfaces from the elements.

Protect your investment today!! Check our service specials section for valuable coupons!!

As we march into spring, we need to pay special attention to the tires on your vehicle. Did you know - that 9% of all tires on the road are bald? A tire can lose as much as 50% of it's inflation pressure and not appear to be flat? 27% of passenger cars and 32% of suv's and minivans have at least one significant under inflated tire? Inflation pressure in a tire goes up (in warm weather) or down (in cold weather) 1 to 2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change?^*

It is important to have the proper inflation pressure in your tires. Under inflation can lead to tire failure and the waste of fuel. Over inflation can cause uneven tire wear in the center of the tread and make the tire more susceptible to road hazard damage and pose vehicle handling issues. Check your tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips. Check the tires when they are cool, perform a visual inspection, and always remember to check your spare.

Alignment, tire rotation, and tire balance are important maintenance items to help ensure the most life out of your vehicle's tires. When a vehicle is out of alignment you may experience an abnormal "pulling" which will cause uneven and rapid tire wear. Also, an unbalanced tire may result in irregular wear or vibration. It is always best practice to perform a four wheel alignment and tire balance at least once a year. Spring time is best time!

And remember Bernardi Audi will be happy to check your vehicle tire pressure or perform a visual tire inspection anytime! Bernardi Audi is your #1 tire dealer offering competitive pricing at your convenience!

^*National Safety and Transportation Board

Audi Tips for Safe Driving in poor visibility conditions - These conditions may include snow, rain, fog, direct sunlight, nighttime, twilight, smoke, and hail. First rule is always to drive at a safe speed to allow ample distance for stopping but don't reduce your speed so much that you become a risk to others. Keep your lights in proper working order including keeping your lenses clean because most people on the road tend to follow the taillights of the vehicles in front of them. Headlights are just as important - you want to make sure the oncoming traffic can see you too. Keep your wiper blades clean and streakfree - wipers should be replaced every year. Keep all windows clean inside and out. Make sure there are no obstructions blocking your vision. If you must pull off the road for any reason, move as far to the right as possible turning your headlights off, taking your foot off the brake, and turning the hazard lights on. It's always a good idea to have a pair sunglasses and cell phone with you. Happy motoring!!

Although some of us might like to wish winter away until next year, we probably still have six more weeks of winter ahead. Any extreme temperature or storm can affect the road and driving conditions and pose serious problems, but especially winter. Winter driving means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to hazardous road conditions and unforeseen dangers. To help you make it safely through winter, here are some suggestions to ensure that you and your vehicle are prepared.

To be sure your car is still winter worthy, a good checkup includes:

• Checking the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts.
• Checking the spark plugs.
• Checking the air and fuel filters.
• Checking the battery and charging system.
• Checking the tires for air, sidewall damage and tread depth.
• Checking antifreeze levels.

Your car should have a service maintenance to ensure not only better gas mileage, quicker starts and faster response on pick-up and passing power, but most importantly safety first.

With the recent cold weather you may have noticed your tire pressure system is telling you to check your tire pressure. This is normal. The temperature fluctuation in New England can be as much as 100 degrees F, during the hottest days of summer it can into the upper 90’s, and in the winter the temperature can hover below zero at night. Your tires (and the air inside them) are subjected to some brutal conditions. As a general rule air pressure is reduced 1 psi for every 10 degrees F, if taken to the extreme, that’s a 10-psi reduction. That will have major effects on the performance of your car. Correct tire pressure is crucial for traction, comfort, fuel economy, and proper tread wear. Thankfully the newer Audis all have a tire pressure monitoring system; if the indicator light comes on, check the tire pressures. It will save you money, and keep your car performing at its highest levels.

Many things affect your gas mileage. Did you know that there is “summer” gasoline and “winter” gasoline? In the winter time gasoline by itself is less volatile, or less likely to vaporize. In an internal combustion engine, a mixture of air and fuel vapor is burned. If the gasoline were to stay in a liquid state, it would not burn. Winter formulated gasoline has additives that increase the volatility, but decrease the BTU’s (energy content). This means winter blend gas burns slightly less efficient. The main factor in the reduction of fuel efficiency is the cold. It sounds simple, but all mechanical things require lubrication. When oil and grease are cold there is much more resistance to move, your engine requires more power to get up to speed. Even your tires have increased rolling resistance in the cold. All these small factors can add up to significant reductions in your fuel economy.

The only thing that will get you increased traction is your tires. Quattro is the most advanced, most refined, and best all-wheel drive system. It’s Quattro that makes you go! Your tires are what actually provide grip. It’s your tires that stop you! All-season tires are a compromise; they have acceptable levels of traction for all conditions. The same tread design and tire compounds that provide good grip in the summer are less effective in the winter. In order to take full advantage of Quattro and your ESP (stability management) you'll need tires suited for the weather. Winter tires are not just "snow tires" they have different compounds engineered into them that increase traction in sub-freezing temperatures. Your Audi will perform better, and be more enjoyable to drive in all conditions. A winter tire package allows the use of two sets of dedicated, optimized tires, providing the best possible performance.