Chicagoans waste more than 30 hours each year waiting in traffic.

According to the Census Bureau’s Annual America Community Survey, we have an average commute time of 33 minutes each way.

While it’s no surprise that Chicago commuters spend a lot of time idling on the freeway, what might surprise you is the toll it can take on your vehicle.

Repeated braking causes premature wear and tear on your pads and rotors. Excessive idling results in costly fuel burn and creates stress on your engine components. And other vehicles idling around you can cause your filters to accumulate more grime than usual.

If you’re a long distance commuter, you’re commuting through a high-traffic area, or road construction on your route causes extended delays, it’s important to stay on top of your vehicle’s regular maintenance. You may even need to take extra precautions, such as more frequent oil and filter changes.

Tell your Tuffy automotive service and repair specialist about your commute patterns, and he or she can recommend a service program to meet your commuter vehicle’s needs.