 | rad Train is the General Manager overseeing day-to-day operations of Saturn West & Saturn East for the owner Scott Davies. He joined the Wichita Saturn team in 1994 as a Sales Consultant, after 3 years he entered the Saturn Management Team. Brad is a graduate of Southeast High and Butler Community College. He and his wife Michelle have 3 children; Shelby, Andrew and Jacob. You can contact Brad at (316)219-5500, or by e-mail at bradtrain@saturnwichita.com |
Cars, Trucks, Vans & Automotive
2003-11-01 14:34:00
Why can't I use cruise?
: Why can't I use the cruise control option immediately after the purchase of a new vehicle?
ANSWER: It is recommended that for the first 1,000 miles, new car owners should not drive for long periods of time at any single speed, either fast or slow. This recommendation is made because it is advised to let the engine break in over its complete operating range so that everything wears in at the same rate therefore extending its life. There are a few things to consider during this break-in period that will insure the long life of your new vehicle:·Drive gently and avoid high speeds ·Avoid full throttle acceleration when starting and driving·Avoid racing the engine·Try to avoid hard stops during the first 200 miles·Do not tow a trailer during the first 500 miles·To further extend the life of your new vehicle (and to save fuel) after the break-in period:·Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Under inflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.·Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.·Avoid lengthy warm-up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly, begin driving-but gently. Remember, however, that on cold winter days this may take longer.·Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high gear as quickly as possible.·Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.·Avoid engine lugging or over-revving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on which you are traveling.·Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop-and-go driving wastes fuel.·Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try to time traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will reduce wear on your brakes.·Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.·Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy, not to mention the reaction of those vehicles following you!·Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.·Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel. ·Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only lessens the weight but also helps prevent corrosion. Keep your vehicle tuned-up and in top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more frequent maintenance.
