Nichols Service

Springtime weather differs across the country, so driving conditions and cautions differ, too.

Animal Behavior Is Unpredictable Avoiding Animals While Driving First, it’s vital to understand that animal behavior can be wildly unpredictable. Despite that fact, there are measures humans can take to help maintain at least a certain level of control when they cross paths with animals on the road.... When you see road signs that indicate a certain stretch is a common area for animals to cross, beware. Staying alert is vital no matter where and when you are behind the wheel, but in such areas, the likelihood that an animal will jump in front of your vehicle increases dramatically. Speeding in areas where animals are known to cross the road frequently only further increases your chances of striking one. The faster you go, the less reaction time you have and the longer it takes to bring your car to a complete stop. It’s much more likely that you will hit an animal in the night. Your visibility diminishes dramatically after the sun goes down, even if you are in a rural area where there are no other cars and you can turn on your brights. Some animals are more active at night and combined with the fact that in general there are fewer cars on most roads, certain areas can become loaded with animals that are unaware of any danger speeding around a nearby corner. Animals like deer also freeze when a bright light, like what comes from your headlights, shines on them. The animals might suddenly bolt after standing in the light for a long time, making their behavior even more unpredictable. Avoiding driving when you are drowsy is another way to prevent accidents with animals. Most people feel tired at night when visibility is already diminished. Their reaction time is further downgraded due to fatigue. You also run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel, and even if you doze for only a moment it can be enough time to not see the animal standing in the road directly in front of your car. Even if you aren’t tired, you need to keep your eyes on the lookout, both in front of the car and to the sides for any signs of animals. If you do see an animal standing on the side of the road, slow down and wait to let it pass before moving on.

Don't neglect your 2021 spring car maintenance checklist!

In April, as winter comes to an end, it is time to get your car ready for spring driving and summer road trips!

Taking a road trip? Here’s 20 fun questions, trivia, and conversation starters to make fun new memories with your travel pals instead of scrolling our phones. Have fun with these!

From a hydrogen-powered hypercar to a flying Cadillac, the future of automotive appears otherworldly.

Nothing says movie nostalgia quite like the cars the characters drive, especially when the film involves racing of any kind. In many cases, these vehicles can become the visual icon for the entire film. They also become extensions of the characters themselves they’re not just props, they become key elements of the character development.

Vehicles are machines, and like any machine they need maintenance. For most vehicles, regular maintenance begins at 5,000 miles and continues from there every 5,000-10,000 miles. Of course, checking your car on a more regular basis is even better.

Even for the most diehard gearheads and auto gurus out there, it’s impossible to truly know and retain everything there is to know about cars.

Holiday road trips always sound fun in theory, but let’s be honest: The irritation level can get pretty high in there about 30 minutes into the drive (especially if you’re traveling with little ones). Make this season’s car rides your most painless and festive yet with these super simple, plan-ahead tips.