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We’re almost a week into January, but we know there’s still quite a few people that are procrastinating their New Year’s Resolution. Instead of making the same old one, how about you try something new that will keep you and your family safe this 2017? We have 7 tips for a car-safe new year below. End Drinking and Driving: Each day, alcohol-impaired driving takes the lives of 36 people and injures nearly 700. While you may not be getting behind the wheel after drinking, there’s still plenty you can do to help eliminate drunk driving. Make sure your friends and family have a sober ride to and from social events, and if you see someone at risk, speak up and help them get a safe ride home. Consider Safety Rating: The great thing about New Toyota Vehicles is that not only are they stylish, tech-savvy, and fun to drive, they’re also incredibly safe. This year, make a vow to consider safety when shopping for your next car. Toyota has the most Top Safety Pick ratings from the IIHS, so DELLA Toyota in Plattsburgh is a perfect place to start! Change a Tire: Learning to change a tire is a great life skill. This is the year to learn to do it! If you need any help, our Service Department is here to assist. Be Prepared: While we hope you don’t find yourself in any car accidents this year, it doesn’t hurt to prepare. If you find yourself in a situation where your normal vehicle exit is compromised (your car is submerged in water or has rolled over), an auto escape tool like a glass-shattering hammer or seatbelt cutter could be the difference between life and death. Go out and buy one today. Buckle Up: This resolution is a no brainer! Seatbelts decrease your chance of death or injury in a collision by over 50 percent. Make sure you and every passenger in your vehicle is buckled up at all times. Fill Up Your Tank: Driving around on empty is dangerous and it can cause damage to your engine. Stay on top of your tank this year. No More Distracted Driving: Distracted driving continues to be an epidemic in our country, and ending it takes just a few adjustments. Change your habits so you can focus on driving. If you like to finish your makeup in the car on the way to work, wake up a few minutes earlier. If you’re tempted to text your group chat back, put your phone in the trunk where you can’t reach it. "7 Resolutions for a Car-Safe New Year on Edmunds.com." Edmunds. N.p., 06 Jan. 2015. Web. 05 Jan. 2017. < https://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/7-resolutions-for-a-car-safe-new-year.html >.

Not everyone is a mechanic, but there are some things that you can and should be able to identify as a driver. Some of those things include knowing what’s causing certain smells, like a musty or burning smell. While your first instinct may be to bring it into the shop, you might not need too. In some cases, an unusual smell is just a way for your car to tell you to give it a good cleaning or airing out or to make sure a fluid isn’t leaking. Here are six common smells that will be helpful to add to your basic car knowledge. Gasoline - Gasoline is something that many of us smell on a regular basis, however, you should only really ever smell it when you are at the gas station. If you smell gasoline on your travels, you should bring your car to a mechanic to have them look at it as there may be a leak in the fuel line or bad fuel pressure. Sweet - Cars can be “sweet”, as in awesome or cool, but they shouldn’t smell sweet. If you do smell a sweet scent the heater core may be leaking. Next time you park, check the pavement under your car for a puddle of antifreeze. Sulfur - Sulfur is a pretty distinctive smell. If you smell rotten eggs, bring your car in for a checkup as the catalytic converter may need to be repaired. Acrid - An acrid smell is a very harsh burning smell and that usually indicates something is burning. Most likely, the smell is burnt brake material so ease up on the brakes while you are driving and make sure your parking brake is completely off. Burning Oil - Another burning smell you might encounter is that of burning oil. It’s a very distinct odor and is often accompanied by a thick smoke. This smell usually indicates oil leaking on a hot surface, like the exhaust system. Get rid of the leak and the smell should go away. Musty - A musty smell is a result of standing water or fabric that has been soaked by water. When water collects somewhere it can be a breeding ground for mold or mildew. Check for damp floor mats or upholstery and let your car air out on the next nice day. Are you experiencing any of these smells or something that’s not covered in the list? Bring your vehicle into DELLA Toyota in Plattsburgh today and let us take a look! Laukkonen, Jeremy. "Seven Reasons Your Car Stinks." About.com Autos. N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 29 July 2016.