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Your brakes are one of your car's most important operating systems. However, braking the wrong way will put undue stress on these critical components, leading to possible failure. Here is a list of five bad braking habits to stop today — before you can't stop at all. 1. Riding Your Brakes The biggest danger of riding your brakes is the real possibility of creating too much heat. Under these conditions, pushing the brake pedal won't build up the necessary pressure in the system, causing your brakes to fail. Brake fade also occurs when heat causes a chemical reaction that creates gas bubbles between pads and rotors, reducing overall efficiency. more In addition to these immediate effects, the long term effects of riding your brakes lead to serious mechanical issues. Your pads and shoes are designed to wear down with use. Riding the brakes speeds up this process significantly. Over time, the heat buildup will damage components. Rotors can warp, and non-metallic parts such as seals can melt, causing leaks. 2. Hard Braking Hard braking is a habit that isn't doing your brake system any good. Unless you're going down a very steep hill, stop it. Regularly stomping on the brakes is a sign you're accelerating too hard or not paying enough attention to traffic — or both. Smooth acceleration and braking will do more than ensure your brakes last longer. This good habit helps save on fuel costs and will keep you safer behind the wheel. 3. Resting Your Foot on the Pedal Some people have a bad habit of resting their foot on the brake pedal. With this practice, you may accidentally hit the brakes while driving. Not only is this a dangerous situation for you, but it's also a problem for other drivers because any sudden stops could lead to a collision, so rest your foot on the floor instead. 4. Not Coasting If you slam on the brakes just as you get to the red light, you're going to add stress to your brakes. Next time, try coasting instead. When you're coming up to an intersection, lift off the accelerator and let the car slow down on its own. Who knows, by the time you coast to a stop, the traffic light may have turned green, and you won't even need to use the brakes at all? Looking ahead to anticipate traffic situations is a terrific habit and will prevent you from braking too soon, saving the brakes for when you really need them. 5. Not Getting Serviced Get your brakes serviced regularly by a certified technician. These experts undergo frequent training, so they are always up-to-date on every aspect of your car's vital systems. Brakes must be serviced to ensure they function correctly, and your vehicle is safe to drive. Have your brakes inspected if you notice any signs of wear, including sticking or seizing up, or whenever you hear unusual brake noises. Many drivers don't know how to brake properly and practice bad habits. Use these tips to stay safe on the way. Image via Pixabay.com

With spring just around the corner, it's time to prepare your Jeep for warm-weather road trips and off-road adventures. You give your house a thorough spring cleaning, and you should do the same for your Jeep. Here are six tips to help make sure your Jeep is ready for anything. 1. Wash the Undercarriage Your Jeep's undercarriage takes on a lot of dirt and grime throughout the winter months. When all of this muck builds up, it makes your Jeep heavier and can cause corrosion. To make sure that the undercarriage is thoroughly clean, use a pressure washer. You should also pressure wash under the Jeep's fenders. Consider investing in some off-road fenders, which will reduce the amount of mud that can build up underneath. more 2. Keep Washing Of course, the rest of your Jeep deserves a thorough washing as well. Winter debris can cause as much damage to your Jeep's paint as it does to the undercarriage. While you're washing your Jeep, make sure to clean the headlights and taillights. Hand washed lights look and perform better than dirty lights. Make sure the windows are clean and free of streaks that can interfere with visibility. After your Jeep is clean, apply a coat of wax to help preserve its paint. 3. Do a Maintenance Check After your Jeep is free of mud and grime, you should pop open the hood and inspect the engine compartment. Look underneath the engine to make sure there is no damage. Also, keep an eye out for worn parts and hoses and wires that may have come loose. You can also check the oil and other fluids and top them off if necessary. It's also a good idea to change your Jeep's oil. 4. Clean the Inside The inside of your Jeep can get as dirty as the outside, especially if you enjoy off-roading. Dust and mud can cause permanent damage to interior surfaces and carpet. Slush mats and cargo mats can help protect these surfaces and make cleaning the interior much more manageable. 5. Install New Wiper Blades Icy windshields can cause excessive wear and tear on your Jeep's windshield wipers, making them virtually useless. Luckily, replacing wiper blades is an effortless task. You should also make sure that there is plenty of washer fluid in the reservoir. 6. Prepare for Off-Roading You never know what could go wrong when off-roading, so it's crucial for you and your Jeep to be as prepared as possible. If you plan on traversing sandy terrain, it's a good idea to reduce air pressure in your tires by 10 to 12 pounds. This makes your Jeep less likely to get stuck. For rocky conditions, you should outfit your Jeep with rock rails. Be sure to pack a tire repair kit, a jump start kit, and a tire jack. These are just some of the things you can to do to make sure your Jeep is ready for the spring season. By taking these steps, you'll be able to drive your Jeep with confidence. Image via Pixabay.com

2020 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the automotive industry. Manufacturers are bringing back driver favorites and introducing all-new models. Here are three impressive 2020 vehicles that should be on your radar. 1. 2020 Chevrolet Blazer After reintroducing the Blazer to drivers in 2019, Chevy is releasing a 2020 model with a few exciting tweaks. An all-new 2.0-liter, turbocharged I4 engine will be available in the 2LT and 3LT trim levels. This mighty engine produces 230 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque, and teams up with a nine-speed automatic transmission. An updated tow package will include trailer hitch guidance. An all-new Redline Package outfits the Blazer with 20-inch aluminum wheels with a gloss black finish and red trim accents, front and rear bowtie badging, and redline decals. more 2. 2020 Buick Encore GX For the 2020 model year, Buick is introducing an all-new SUV to its lineup, the Encore GX. This new vehicle is larger than the encore and smaller than the Envision and Enclave. You can expect the Encore GX to have an athletic exterior with sharp body lines, a streamlined stance, and dramatic styling. Its distinctive lighting will have a chrome look during the day. A hands-free liftgate with LED logo projection will open with the keyless entry fob or a simple kick. The GX's interior will be just as stylish and versatile as its exterior. A flat-folding front passenger seat combines with 40/60 split seats to give you numerous passenger and cargo configurations, including a diagonal cargo area. A spacious center console and panoramic moonroof make the cabin feel even more spacious. The GX's safety features include a forward collision alert, lane keep assist, following distance indicator, and front pedestrian braking. The GX will be compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the Buick's exclusive Marketplace network. 3. 2020 Dodge Durango Dodge is bringing back its popular Durango for the 2020 model year with a few new features in addition to aspects of the vehicle that drivers know and love. New for 2020 are two packages, Blacktop and Brass Monkey, that give the Durango R/T a chrome HEMI front fender badge and matte black badging. The Blacktop package also includes 20-inch wheels with gloss black finish. A new premium interior package includes a Dinamica suede-wrapped headliner and a hand-wrapped instrument panel. The 2020 Durango SRT is the fastest three-row SUV on the market thanks to its 392-cubic inch HEMI V-8 engine. All 2020 models will come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission with a driver-oriented electronic shifter. Drivers can opt for steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. A variety of seating options means that the 2020 Durango gives you 50 different passenger and cargo configurations. An available 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen radio will feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Rear-seat passengers can enjoy an available 9-inch dual-screen Blu-ray and DVD player. These are just some of the exciting and impressive 2020 vehicles on the market. Consider taking a test drive so you can see what all the buzz is about. Image via Dodge.com

The style of the minivan has really come along way in the past few years. The new Voyager is full of surprising features that are sure to impress. With high-end finishes and impressive performance, there's no shortage of surprises inside.  Here are five things to love about the new Chrysler Voyager. 1. Comfortable Interior As soon as you get behind the wheel of the 2020 Chrysler Voyager you'll find a comfortable, spacious interior. The L, or base model, has cloth seats, front armrests, and several beverage holders so you don't have to worry about spilled drinks. On the inside of the LX you'll notice features such as express up-and-down front windows, easy-to-clean cloth seating finishes, and adjustable seats for easier storage. The available second-row storage bins let you take along extra cargo for longer trips and kids' events. You and the whole crew will have plenty of room to stretch out while riding in this great minivan. more 2. Stylish Exterior The new Voyager brings a whole new look to the minivan. The L comes with a black chrome surround grille and 17-inch inch steel wheels with covers. On the LX you'll see halogen headlights with fully automatic light control, heated mirrors, and body-colored bumpers. You'll capture attention like never before with the sleek lines and aerodynamic design. 3. Powerful, Fuel Efficient Engine Under the hood, you'll find a powerful engine that performs without sacrificing fuel economy. The 3.6-liter V-6 engine will get you up to 287 horsepower and is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission for a smooth ride. Enjoy 28 miles per gallon highway and 19 when driving through town in this minivan. Don't sacrifice performance just because you need more room. 4. Updated Technology To keep your kids entertained on long drives and help you stay focused on driving, several great new technology features have been implemented. Wireless phone connectivity lets you access your music so you can start up the kids' playlist with ease. The voice-activated radio control lets you change settings and volume without taking your eyes off the road. Speed sensitive volume takes the noise down a notch when you slow down. The Uconnect 4 feature comes with a large 7-inch touch-screen display along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless Bluetooth streaming. 5. Great Safety Features With your precious cargo in tow, you can drive confidently knowing you're protected by great safety features. The antilock braking system and electronic stability control will help keep you on the road even in extreme road conditions. In case of a collision, you'll be protected by advanced airbags throughout the entire interior. The side impact beams and galvanized steel body are strong in case of a rollover accident. For more information about the Voyager contact a member of our knowledgeable sales team at Fremont Motors. They would be honored to answer any questions you may have. You can also get set up for a test drive as soon as today. We look forward to working with you. Image via Chrysler.com