Why the All-New Chevy Blazer is the Best SUV on the Road Today

Many Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, but who would have guessed that your car could be making things worse? Nasty particles that make you sneeze, cough, and scratch our eyes can be found throughout your car. Keep pollen, dust, and pet dander out of your vehicle for an allergen-free driving experience. Here are five tips to help you breathe easier when you're cruising the roads. Start With Your Carpet Each time you get into your car, your shoes bring along plenty of junk, including dirt, grease, and pollen. These irritating substances can get trapped in your carpet. Evict these unwanted guests before they make your car a permanent rest stop by regularly vacuuming and wiping down your interior. During peak allergy seasons--spring and fall--you'll want to suck up these particles at least once a week; during the off-peak times, once a month will do. Consider covering your vehicle's carpeting with plastic to protect it and investing in a set of washable, grooved floormats to make the job easier. Look Out for Mold Does your car have a sour smell? You may have a mold problem. Mold can lurk anywhere in your vehicle. It could be under your seats, thanks to that long-forgotten French fry, or even in dampened seat cushions that soak up spills. Treat your car to a thorough cleaning by following step one. If that doesn't remove the smell, your air-conditioning ducts may be the source of the offensive odor. The last thing you want is a face full of mold allergens blown around when you turn on your AC. Take the car into the shop to have the air filter changed and the ducts professionally cleaned. Get Rid of Dust Mites Dust mites are a part of life, but you can reduce their impact on your allergies. Avoid using fuzzy or wooly seat covers as these fabrics attract and retain more dirt, dust mites, and mold spores. If it's in your budget, opt for leather upholstery. It's the best choice for allergy sufferers, and it's easy to clean. Put Fido in a Crate If you're like many Americans, your dog gets to ride along wherever you go. However, all that fur and dander flying around your car can exasperate your allergy symptoms. You don't have to restrict Fido to the house. Instead, put him in a crate while in the vehicle to reduce the amount of shedding that ends up in your car. Keep Pollen at Bay When the sun is out, we're tempted to roll down the windows or drop the convertible for some fresh air. While letting the wind whip through our hair is fun and exciting, it's a recipe for sinus disaster. When the pollen count is high, it's best to use the air conditioner on the recirculating cycle to keep allergens out. Start allergy-proofing your car today. If you're a hardcore sufferer, you'll be glad you did. Image by Brooke Novak is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

If summertime to you looks like visits to the beach, road trips, and outdoor activities, then it is time to make your vehicle summer ready. These tips will help you prepare your vehicle for all your upcoming summer adventures. Invest in a Sunshade Nothing ruins an entertaining day on the beach faster than returning to your vehicle with hot leather seats. Leather upholstery can get dangerously hot, especially if it is darker leather. In fact, black leather materials can get as hot as 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This can lead to severe burns in just one second. Equipping a sunshade over your dashboard window can block out the sun's rays and prevent painful burns. Swap Out Your Tires Now is a good time to swap out your winter tires if you have not yet done so. Winter tires are made of materials that are ideal for colder weather but are not the best choice for summertime. During the summer, it is best to use all-season or summer tires. This is also a good time to have your tires rotated and changed, if needed, before heading out on long road trips. Pack Beach Accessories The great thing about summer in Virginia is that the parks and local beaches are open from sun up to sun down. You never know when you might want to pull off and enjoy the refreshing water of the Neabsco Creek. Keep a beach bag packed and ready to go in the trunk for easy beach fun. Include items like a beach blanket, water, and sunscreen. Replace Your Wiper Blades The summer heat brings with it summer rain and thunderstorms. As a general rule, windshield wiper blades should be replaced at least every six to 12 months. Otherwise, they don't clear the rain as efficiently and you run the risk of scratching your windshield. Check Your Air Conditioning You don't want to find out that your air conditioning isn't running properly after you have spent a long day at the beach in the hot weather. Check your coolant levels ahead of time and test out the air conditioning in your car. If the air is not cold, then it may need to be recharged. If a recharge doesn't fix the problem, get into your mechanic as soon as possible. The temperatures are only going to increase. Give it a Thorough Cleaning If you spend a lot of time on the road during the summer months, you want a vehicle that is clean. Winter can put a lot of wear and tear on our vehicles, leaving them dirty with salt and mud. This is also a good time to replace your winter mats for summer ones. Interior mats can help to protect your interior which also protects your resale value. Preparing your vehicle now can help you enjoy the summer. With a clean interior, a refreshed air conditioner, and a beach-ready bag packed at all times, you are ready to make the most out of summer. Image by Gronkca is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

There's nothing like getting behind the wheel of a car that is free of debris and smells good. A clean car is a pleasure to drive and with these helpful tips, you can keep your car looking its best. Prep Cleaning “Wash Your Car, Sir?” by MTSOfan, used under CC BY 2.0 First, clear out any trash that may have fallen between the seats, lodged in cracks, or slid under the seats. Remove the floor mats and shake each one vigorously to remove excess dirt. Use hot water and soap to remove any mud stains and hang the mats in the sun to dry. Next, thoroughly vacuum the interior, using the nozzle to reach between the seats, under the pedals, around the console, inside cup holders, and storage bins. Vacuum the trunk as well. Cleaning Upholstery more Dirt, dust, debris, and other particles can become embedded in the upholstery. Depending on the type of material used in your car, use the appropriate cleaning compound. Whether you're cleaning leather, vinyl, or cloth seats, determine the depth of cleaning required, if there are stains that also need to be removed and if the material has an undesirable odor. These factors will help you choose the right cleaning product. Windows and Mirrors Keeping your windows and mirrors clean and clear is important and the process takes only a few minutes. For glass windows, use a glass cleaner and a clean microfiber towel to remove buildup. For tinted windows, be extra careful as some cleaning products can damage the tinted sheet covering the glass. A helpful tip to prevent damage is to apply the cleaning product to the cloth versus spraying directly onto the glass to protect areas susceptible to harsh chemicals. Dashboard Buttons and grooves are susceptible to dust buildup. To clean the nooks and crannies of vents, buttons, and dials, wrap the tip of a cotton swab or screwdriver with a thin piece of cloth and use it as a cleaning implement to reach difficult places. Cleaning Tools Keep your cleaning tool kit fully stocked to ensure you have everything you need to keep your car sparkling clean. Along with a vacuum cleaner, keep on hand a variety of chemical cleaning products designed for the different interior surfaces of your car such as vinyl, carpet, leather, and plastic. Materials to use for interior and exterior polishing includes non-abrasive fine cloth rags, terry cloth, and lint-free rags, and microfiber towels. Each time you use these for wiping or polishing, ensure that they are clean and free of any chemicals. Air Freshener Add a fresh scent to your car with a simple homemade recipe. Mix 5 drops of essential oil with 1 cup of baking soda and place in a sealed container for 24 hours. Then, shake the container and sprinkle the mixture over your car's floor. Let stand for at least 15 to 20 minutes before vacuuming. Keep your car feeling like new and every on-road journey will be a pleasurable driving experience.