Driving at night, or in adverse conditions can be pretty uncomfortable. You may be tempted to flick on your high beams on a foggy road or activate your hazard lights in heavy rain, but that isn’t always the best option. The INFINITI Of South Bay  team is here to take the guesswork out of using these features to keep you safe on the road.

When to Use Your High Beams

It seems like a no-brainer to use your high beams any time you can’t see well. On a dark, clear night when you’re away from traffic or populated areas, that’s true. Your high beams can illuminate the road ahead of you, up to 500 feet. However, those high beams can also be overkill when there are streetlights to aid your visibility. When there are other motorists around, it’s best to avoid your high beams, since the light is aimed higher, and could affect their ability to see.

In rain, snow, and fog, your high beams might make it more difficult to see. Since the light is aimed higher and will cause the particles in the air to reflect towards your vehicle, it can limit your visibility. Low beams will aim the light downward, better illuminating the road.

If the light of oncoming traffic is making it difficult for you to see, high beams won’t help. Try focusing on the white line on the right side of the road until the driver passes. The line will guide you and be the easiest thing to see. Flashing your lights to get the other driver to turn off their high beams might not be properly interpreted and could do more harm than good.

When to Use Your Hazard Lights

Many drivers overuse their hazard lights. It can be unsafe to use them when they are not needed, such as in a heavy rain downpour. In inclement weather, most drivers are traveling at a similar, reduced speed. If you turn on your hazards, other drivers and law enforcement may misinterpret your hazards as a signal that your vehicle is stopped. A police officer may interpret that you need assistance. The hazard lights also disable your turn signals, which can create a dangerous situation, especially in adverse weather. The best thing to do in this situation is to maintain a safe speed and turn on your headlights and taillights.

Other drivers may use hazards when parking illegally, in heavy traffic, or as an alternative to a turn signal. All of these situations can be confusing and problematic for other drivers. Again, it’s best to drive defensively and observe the laws of your area while navigating.

There are two instances when you should use hazard lights: in a funeral procession and when stopped on or near the roadway. Using your hazards in a funeral procession communicates to other drivers that they should adjust their speed. When stopped because your vehicle has broken down, an officer has pulled you over, or in an emergency situation, drivers know that they should reduce their speed, and move over if possible. Hazards increase visibility and warn other drivers to pay attention as they approach.

We hope this helps clear up when you should use these lights. Of course, this is a guideline and you should use your best judgment in any situation to be as safe as possible. If you’ve noticed that one of your lights isn’t working correctly, or as bright as it should be, contact the INFINITI Of South Bay service team today. We can make sure your lights are working properly and replace any bulbs that aren’t working.

More people than ever now work on the move, thanks to mobile phones, laptops, and tablet devices. But if you're regularly using your vehicle as a workstation, how can you keep track of everything and keep it all neat, organized, and tidy? Here are 5 tips from INFINITI Of South Bay.

1) Paper

Although technology companies would rather you didn't mention it, there's still a lot of paper in business. Whether you've printed a hard copy of a document for proofreading purposes or just amassed a pile of receipts for an expense claim, paper will build up. There are two steps to managing paper in your on-the-road office.

First, make sure you have a hole punch and ring binder, and file away every single scrap of paper neatly, keeping it all in one place. Second, when you finish with a piece of paper, scan it if it's important, and then recycle it. Nothing clutters an office faster than scraps of paper, and this is doubly true if your office is a car. Lose the trash.

2) Storage

Keep your car tidy by keeping your on-the-road office in one of the storage compartments. Whether that's in the glove compartment, the trunk, or the front passenger seat footwell is up to you, but get into the habit of putting your office away when you're not actively working. Out of sight, out of mind, and it will help prevent you from losing important items in the interior of your car.

3) Charging

Pay careful attention to the battery life instructions on your laptop, tablet, and smartphone. Keep their charge levels topped up at every opportunity, and think about investing in portable power packs and car chargers (if your vehicle doesn't have a USB port or wireless charging station already).

4) Stationery

When working on paper, you will need a pen, a pencil, an eraser, possibly a ruler, and a highlighter pen. That's it. Buy one of each item, and a case to put them in. If you give into the temptation of buying dozens of different colored pens and a pencil for every grade of hardness, you'll end up losing items left and right and still won’t be able to find a pen when you need one. Buy a small amount of equipment and concentrate on keeping it in a desginated place in your vehicle.

5) Prioritize

The best way to keep your on-the-road office tidy and organized is to do the bare minimum of work on the move. When you begin to do any task in the car, take a moment to think about whether it could wait until you're back in your regular office or at your desk at home. And if it can wait, ask yourself whether you would be likely to do the task better with a more dedicated working environment, perhaps with colleagues who you can ask for advice and support.

There are more ways than these to keep yourself organized while out on the road, but we hope you found these top five tips helpful. if there's anything else we can do to make your automotive life easier, don't hesitate to contact us today.

A new year is a great time to begin new money saving practices. Instead of planning on winning the lottery, plan to make small manageable changes that can save you money in the long run. Here are three simple money-saving ideas to help ensure that this is the year that you save money.

Budget

One of the best ways to save money is to create (and stick to) a budget. By creating categories for all of your purchasing needs and allotting money to each one, you're less likely to overspend. Giving every dollar you spend an assigned category also ensures that you're spending money efficiently. The first step to planning a good budget is deciding how often your budget will reset based on what works for you, whether it's at every paycheck or every week, or somewhere in between. Then, create your categories for all of your normal expenses. Don't forget to allot money to the "free" category to cover any spontaneous purchases. This ensures that other money stays within its category and you still have the freedom to spend money.

Don't Be Afraid to Adjust

Creating a budget is hard work and if it isn't exactly right the first time, don't be afraid to adapt and adjust. If your first budget attempt doesn't have enough money for groceries or gas, but you overestimated your coffee category, then consider re-allotting. It may take several attempts to fine-tune your budget and it might be helpful to keep basic notes of how much you spend or don't spend in each category. Once your budget accommodates your most efficient spending habits, you'll be able to regularly save any leftover money!

But also, don't be afraid to adapt and adjust your lifestyle to help save money. If your morning cup of coffee from your favorite coffee shop is important to you, then keep it! Everyone deserves little pleasures. But if you don't mind substituting name brand products for cheaper generic store brands at the grocery store, then save your money there. Small changes can help you save money, so don't be afraid to branch out.

Automatically Save

Automatically factoring in money to save is a good way to accumulate wealth. By automatically depositing a specified amount of money at each paycheck, you'll adjust your spending habits to function without it. Putting away money from each paycheck can be difficult, but every little bit can help to build up your savings. Consider your automatic saving another category for your budget in order to manage your spending. This will also be beneficial in thinking about the future, having accumulated savings can take the pressure off of unexpected costs and expenses.

If you need a great way to save money on your next vehicle, INFINITI of South Bay can help you find a great deal on a remarkable vehicle that's gonna help you meet your goals for the year. Contact us today

The initial investment in an electric vehicle can seem high. However, there are so many unseen savings with EV models, and we’re not just talking about possible government incentives. Service costs associated with electric vehicles are much lower than those for gasoline-powered models.

Brakes Pads & Rotors

Because EVs employ regenerative braking technology, less brake application is needed to bring your vehicle to a stop. That means longer life for brake pads and rotors!

Oil Changes

Many EV motors do have lubricants. However, that lubricant doesn’t need to be changed for the longevity of the vehicle. That’s right, no more oil changes every 3 months!

Coolant

While the battery system does have cooling, it also doesn’t require service. Some batteries are air-cooled while others are liquid-cooled, but either way, when you choose an EV, coolant flushes are a thing of the past.

Spark Plugs

EV motors don’t use traditional ignition systems so items like spark plugs, coil packs, and ignition coils aren’t a concern.

Fuel Components

No fuel? No fuel lines. No fuel filters. No fuel injectors. No fuel pumps. That eliminates so many common issues as vehicles age. Sometimes even gas tanks need to be replaced. These are all concerns you won’t have to think about when you go electric.

Air Filters

Yes, you will still need to replace your cabin air filter, but the air intake filters won’t be an issue. Gasoline-powered engines require a lot of air to work properly, and they suck air in through the air intake. EV motors don’t need to do this, so the intake filter isn’t something you’ll need to remember to replace.

Service needs and schedules vary from vehicle to vehicle and that’s true for electric vehicles too. To learn about the exact needs of an electric vehicle you’re contemplating, contact the INFINITI of South Bay FIAT service team. Our technicians are keeping up with the evolving service of gasoline and EV models and we’re here to answer any questions you need.

A clear view from your front windshield is essential for safe driving. Your windshield wiper blades remove rain, snow…even dirt and ice to improve your driving visibility. They’re ready to work quickly and smoothly; they endure extremes of temperature and operate for hours at a time—without fail, as long as they’re maintained properly. Made out of thin, flexible rubber, your hard-working wiper blades just need a little attention to ensure they’re not cracking, warping, or losing their flexibility.

If your wiper blades aren’t doing a good job (or even if you think they could be doing better), it’s probably time to replace them. Many experts say that wiper blades need to be changed every year, more often depending on weather conditions in your area and on the quality of blade materials. Standard rubber blades have a shorter lifespan than halogen-hardened and silicone blades, but many people buy rubber blades to save a few bucks. However, is that temporary savings worth it if you end up needing to replace them sooner?

Streaking is a solid indicator that your wiper blades need to be replaced; you might notice large gaps where no water is being removed each time the blades wipe. The wipers might also start making squeaking or staccato sounds, which is also a sign they need attention. Left for too long without replacing, the rubber of the of the wiper blade can shred or break loose from the arm, which means the  metal or hard plastic of the arm scrapes across the glass and can damage your windshield.

Check your wiper blades for these signs of wear and tear:

• Scratching sounds
• Cracked or peeling blades
• Windshield streaks
• Bad windshield contact
• Skipping wipers

Most wipers will accept rubber refills, giving you the option of replacing only the part that’s damaged, rather than having to replace the entire wiper mechanism. Wiper arms can warp and bend, so inspect the arm as well to ensure that replacing the blade is the only problem you need to address.

Spring is a great time to install new wipers. Even if your blades appear to be functioning fine, the ice and snow in winter can cause tiny tears in your rubber wiper blades. Remember, wiper blades deteriorate due to many environmental factors, like sun, airborne debris, road salt, and hard rain. Multiply those factors in more extreme weather areas, and your wiper blades will need maintenance on a more frequent basis.

Conclusion

Windshield wipers are one of the easiest parts of your car to maintain, and efficient wiper blades are as important to automotive safety as clean oil and good tires. Inspect your wiper blades frequently for wear and tear, and check your owner’s manual to ensure you’re replacing any parts that are the right fit for your car.

And of course, the INFINITI of South Bay Service Department is ready to to help check, repair, or replace your wipers as needed. Contact us online to schedule any service or give us a shout to answer your automotive questions!