One scary car care trend that is surely to affect many drivers is the decline in the number of states that require safety inspections. According to an article from The Trucker.com, fewer than 20 states conduct annual mandatory safety inspections of privately-owned vehicles.

This is troubling not only because more cars with defects are on the road, but more people are likely to get in accidents as a result of driving cars that aren’t checked regularly.

What should you do if your state doesn’t require these inspections? Get your car checked anyway! While this might mean going to a mechanic rather than a government regulated inspector, you can still find out more about your vehicle than just hoping it will continue to run properly during operation.

If you get your vehicle checked in Illinois, let Swift Wash check out how clean it is and help you make it look like new! We offer a number of wash and detail packages for any budget.

Here’s a great deal too good to pass up! Carcare.org has a free car care guide available on its website! This manual is available for download and can also be ordered by printed copy.

The 60 page guide covers nine major services, 12 component groups within the vehicle, service interval recommendations and much more. It even has sections on fuel economy and environmental awareness.

Grab your copy today! Click here to fill out the form to download or order the car care guide.

If you need a wash before or after you get your repairs done, head on over to Swift Wash! We’d love to see you!

Airfare often increases dramatically in the summer, so planning a trip during this season can mean road trips instead of flying. If you are traveling with your family, you will likely have a lot of stress doing so. Take some preventative steps to ensure a good trip, no matter the distance.

Plan Frequent Stops

Young children are likely to get antsy while driving long distances. Take breaks at rest stops or stop in small towns along the way for snacks and to stretch. Understanding they have to get out of the car once in a while will make the ride better!

Have a Positive Attitude

Making the experience a good one for your child is important. Talk about the trip beforehand and make it a positive experience so they know that they can look forward to it.

Plan Activities

Before the trip, plan some things for your child to do while you drive. Age-appropriate activities might include playing I Spy, listening to and singing along with music, coloring, or reading. Bring lots of options and even surprises along the way to make the journey fun.

When you come home from your trip, take your car to Swift Wash! We can get it back into tip-top shape with high-quality wash and detail services!

It’s great to drive a car until you are ready to trade it in or sell it. You have taken great care of your vehicle and are ready for a newer model. But understanding that the process is different than privately selling your car is important so you get the best value out there.

If you plan to work with a dealership to negotiate a sale or vehicle trade-in, you must not only be shrewd but smart in your communications. Take some of these steps when you work with the dealership.

Be Flexible

What the NADA or Edmunds.com says your vehicle is worth at trade in might not be what the dealership offers. After all, they need to make a profit if they plan to sell your car used. While it’s a good idea to have a high figure in mind, also recognize they will want to talk you down a little. It’s okay to be flexible; the dealership understands where you are coming from, too.

Condition Matters

If you have taken good care of your car and it has good curb appeal, you will likely receive a figure closer to the dollar amount you bring to the table. The dealership will make the call on curb appeal, so be prepared for this.

Remember, It’s a Business Deal

You may find yourself feeling emotionally attached to your vehicle and think it is worth more than the price offered in the sale or trade-in, but it’s important to remember this is a simple transaction between you and another party. Don’t get offended if you are offered a lower amount of money for your car than you think it’s worth. Stick to your guns and be professional so you get treated well at the dealership.

Before you sell or trade in your vehicle, come to Swift Wash for a last-minute cleaning!

Keeping your child safe and secure is important, especially when driving. Having a car seat that fits with your lifestyle is important, too.

However, a number of car manufacturers are making it difficult for parents to strap children in securely. A new study recently revealed that the design of the car makes it difficult to properly install car seats.

Some ways to secure your child’s seat include:

Using a Tether – A tether strap is a strap that can help you secure the seat tightly, especially in cars that have over the shoulder seat belts in the back seat. Use both the upper and lower tether to secure your child in properly.

Consider Owning Multiple Seats - If you have more than one vehicle, consider having a car seat in each one. This can prevent moving it frequently and can help avoid having to install it each time.

Get a Rear-Facing Seat - With very young children, such as infants, a rear-facing seat is safer than a forward facing seat.

Research, Research, Research! - Before buying any car seat, research it. Read the reviews and make sure it has not been recalled. Avoid buying a used one and go for the newer models, as they likely meet the standards and safety regulations that older ones don’t.

Once you have the seat installed, you might find that it can get really messy around them. Come to Swift Wash and we’ll detail your car! We’ll save you money, too, so you can buy other essential items for your kids!

Brake care is absolutely necessary for proper car care! Without it, you run the risk of getting into a major accident, costing you thousands of dollars. Prevention is a key step, so start today with checking your brakes and rotors. Follow these simple tips!

1. Take Advantage of Free Inspections

When you are getting other services done for your car, go ahead and have them check your brakes, too. Many shops offer free inspections because they know you are more likely to use their other services if they inspect your brakes. Get them checked at least once a year at your usual service shop, but get them checked more if you find you are in stop and go traffic frequently.

2. Watch for Warning Signs 

Being aware of the signs that you needs your brakes inspected or replaced is very important. Some of these signs may include that your brake light comes on. While that is an obvious sign, some subtle signs might include that your car pulls to one side when you brake or if one or more wheels becomes excessively hot after driving short distances.

3. Check Your Rotors Frequently

Also called brake discs, your rotors are an important component of your brake system. If they become rusted or crack you might have bigger problems on your hands down the road with your brakes. Make sure they are in good condition and ask your mechanic how to recognize signs that they need fixing.

After your brakes have been inspected, come on over to Swift Wash to clean your car! We offer a number of wash and detail packages to suit your needs.

Gas prices are unpredictable, and having some kind of plan in place to save money on fuel can be helpful. While you might not realize it, there are some steps you can take to save money at the pump, especially as you commute to work or drive around town doing errands.

Carpool

Carpooling is a great way to save on gas. If your coworkers live in your area, arrange a carpool and plan to give the driver some money for gas. This will save you from driving your car and having to fill up frequently. Plus, you can create great relationships through conversations on the way to the office!

Lighten Your Car’s Load

Do you find yourself hauling a lot of things back and forth or forgetting to take bulky items out of your trunk? It could be affecting your fuel efficiency! Heavy items in your car can, over time, shorten your MPG. Take out heavy items and you will increase the fuel efficiency, or at least get it back to the levels described in your owner’s manual.

Use Higher Octane Gas

One of the reasons you could be experiencing lower MPGs is you are using low quality fuel. Stick with higher premiums of gas to improve your gas mileage. It might cost a little more, but you won’t have to fill up as often.

Drive Responsibly

Sudden starts and stops burn up gas quickly. Avoid sudden braking and don’t take off in your car as if it’s a jet plane. Move forward smoothly and stop smoothly, too, to avoid going through your fuel quickly. Part of this means staying alert. So put down that cell phone! Ditch the doughnut! Stop primping in the mirror and focus on your driving habits. Changing them just might save you some money in the long run.

Bring your car to Swift Wash to get it looking extra clean inside and out!

A great way to put the shine back into your car’s finish is with a thorough wax. Putting that luster back into the paint is essential for a car that looks new and runs better.

The six tools you will need to make your car shiny again include:

• Car Wax
• Cotton Terrycloth Rags/Towels
• a Wax Sponge
• Car Wash Soap
• Water

Car Wax

Many experts recommend 3M waxes, but any high-quality car wax is sure to prep the painted areas of your car and clean off any contaminants that might affect the final polish.

Cotton Terrycloth Rags/Towels

Using terrycloth rags and towels is best for your vehicle’s surface, as they will not harm your vehicle’s finish like some other types of cleaning materials.

Wax Sponge

A wax sponge is a great cleaning tool to use if you plan to wax your car’s painted surfaces. Use these cleaning pads to pick up any extra wax on your vehicle.

Car Wash Soap

While it might seem obvious, car wash soap is a must-have tool in your car cleaning kit. Buy it from a reputable auto shop or your local car wash to save time and money.

Water

Giving your car a pre-wash and the final rinse would not be possible without some water! Depending on the size of your vehicle, 1-2 bucketfuls of water should do the trick.

In a hurry to clean your car? Come to Swift Wash, where we’ll clean it for you at our Rockford or Carpentersville locations!