Posted October 25, 2015 by Ali's Woodinville
Puget Sound traffic is known for being rough, especially at commute time. If you use your car to commute to work every day (especially from the Woodinville area, where we are), you’re among the many folks who are in their cars all the time. That constant use is hard on your car, and it can be a major headache for you. Looking to make your daily commute more manageable? Below are some tips that may save you money and time and keep you from stressing out.
1. See If You Can Carpool or Telecommute a Couple of Days a Week
Even one day a week of carpooling or telecommuting saves gas, saves wear on your car, and gives you back time you’d otherwise spend driving.
2. Look at Traffic Before You Leave Home
Knowing about traffic hazards before you start your commute can save you time and gas, as well as stress. If there’s a major backup, construction or an accident, see if you can shift your work hours for the day or take a different route.
3. Know the Alternate Routes
Knowing the different ways to get to your destination makes it easy to change course when you need to. If Hwy 522 or I-405 is backed up, having a second route in mind can save you a lot of sitting.
4. Avoid Getting Pulled Over by Obeying Driving Laws
Besides being a tense situation, getting a ticket costs you money and may raise your insurance rates. Try not to speed. It may seem like it saves time, but speeding can end up costing you and can create a dangerous situation for you and other commuters. Drive safely, wear your seat belt, and keep your phone hands-free. Even a small infraction can get you pulled over. In Washington, holding your phone while driving is against the law, even when you’re stopped in traffic or at a red light.
5. Save Money on Gas
Gas prices can vary a lot from station to station, so compare before you fill up. A gas price app makes it easy to find a better price along your route.
6. Keep Your Car Regularly Maintained
Regular auto service and tune-ups help you avoid major breakdowns and keep your car running efficiently. Keeping your car serviced also extends its life and keeps the time it spends broken down to a minimum.
Stop-and-go traffic counts as hard driving in most owner’s manuals. Your brakes, transmission fluid and engine oil all work harder in a crawl than on an open highway, so commuters who spend a lot of time in traffic may need to follow the manual’s “severe service” schedule, including more frequent oil changes.
Make the Drive Easier
Following these tips will make your everyday drive a little less tedious. If you have questions about other ways to make your drive smoother, or how to take good care of your car to keep it on the road with you, give Ali’s Woodinville a call.
Call 425-420-1630 or request an appointment to keep your commuter car road-ready.
