Along with the change of seasons from fall to winter comes the likelihood of poor road conditions and reduced visibility. Automotive breakdowns, never convenient, can be even more dangerous in cold weather. Preventive vehicle maintenance can help lessen the odds of mechanical failure. "Fall is a crucial time to have your vehicle inspected, starting with the 'Four Bs'-blades, batteries, brakes, and belts and hoses," said Chris Vermette, ACDelco product specialist, Wiper Blades and Belts and Hoses. "Cold weather only makes existing problems worse. You never want to have a breakdown, but winter can be the worst possible time."

Is your car's oil ready to be changed? Do you know how much air pressure is in its tires? Even if you don't know the answers to these important maintenance questions, there's a chance your vehicle might. Increasingly, automakers are using sophisticated computer technology to diagnose a wide array of vehicle problems or to monitor a vehicle's performance.

Whenever you decide to do your "spring cleaning," be it April, May or October, you may want to put your vehicle on the list of things that could use some sprucing up. According to a report published by the Transportation Research Board, Americans are continuing to spend more time commuting to and from work-almost a 50 percent increase in the last decade. With an increasing number of commuters spending upwards of 60 minutes traveling in their cars each day, it is important for drivers to make their ride as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Thanks to Groundhog Day, a growing number of drivers are seeing a way to increase their driving safety. They're using the holiday as a reminder to change their car's wiper blades. A recent survey found that one out of every three drivers on the road today fail to change their blades according to the National Safety Council's recommended frequency of once a year. In fact, 78 percent of motorists only change their wiper blades after the blades themselves begin to impair their visibility and have become a safety hazard.

Throughout the course of our business, we have the opportunity to attend many car shows to demonstrate and market our products. The shows that we go to might be a casual cruise-in, a local or a national meet. Regardless of the type of show - there is always one thing that stands out - a nicely detailed car! Your ride might be a "driver", a concourse-quality "trailer-queen" or even a racecar. No matter what you drive, there is no doubt that a detailed car that "pops" grabs your attention. And who doesn't like to drive a nicely detailed car? And if you are a gear-head like me, yes I have a great job!

Summer's heat and stop-and-go traffic can cause poorly functioning automotive systems to fail outright. To prevent vacation-ruining breakdowns, the experts at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offer the following tips on getting your vehicle ready for summer:

With so many wonderful and interesting U.S. cities, an increasing number of Americans are forgoing international travel in favor of road trips to the beach, mountains, and other domestic hotspots. If you count yourself among them, make sure your vehicle is in good condition before hitting the wide, open road. The following list of summer maintenance check points will help ensure a safe ride to your vacation destination.

Spring is a time of fresh starts and renewals. Extend the "spring cleanup" you give your house and yard to your vehicle. You'll not only improve its performance and lengthen its life, but you'll spare yourself time, money and aggravation.

Don't risk being stranded or getting less than you should from your car at trade in. A little attention to the basics now will improve its appearance and performance for years to come. Now scheduling with your service center is easy, thanks to this handy checklist of items for the spring season. Don't miss the first checklist, with items you can do yourself.

Approximately 50 percent of people say a lack of time is a bigger problem in their lives than a lack of money, according to the 2006 Yankelovich MONITOR "Finding Time Perspective" report. Seventy percent of consumers 16 years and older say they don't have enough time to do all the things they need to do. With such a lack of time, things like servicing a vehicle tend to take a back seat. Because of hectic schedules, drivers seek simple, quick solutions to car repairs so they can focus on daily commitments. Searching through an owner's manual is time consuming and confusing for many people. And when time becomes more valuable than money, technology can help. Yankelovich also reports that the use of technological tools is one of the top strategies time-starved consumers rely on most to buy back time in their lives. There are a number of automotive technologies that make it easier for vehicle owners to maintain and service their vehicles.They help save time by preventing unnecessary maintenance, make it easy to travel safely, as well as preserve gas and oil.