Fall Car Care 2010

Inside: SASS: How to handle a roadside emergency Prepare your vehicle for winter in 5 steps Protect your car’s ďŹ nish this winter

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Friday, September 24, 2010

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Prepare your vehicle for winter in 5 steps

By Christina LeBlanc Feature Writer

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t’s that time of year – there’s a chill in the air and winter is right around the corner. You might be ready, but is your vehicle?

There are five essential things to check out, according to Alan Collins of Discount Auto Repair on Washington Street in Auburn.

You can count on the colder weather arriving the further into the season we get. Will your car be ready? We asked local experts to explain what needs to be checked during fall car maintenance.

The five major areas to check are the battery, windshield, belt s, fluids, and tires. Make an appointment today for your car and be prepared for the cold weather – it’s coming.

First, the battery; you’ll want the battery to be performing and charging at its best when the weather turns cold. Anyone who’s struggled to start a car on a cold winter morning can attest to that. An average car battery lasts between three and six years, so if yours is older than that it’s crucial to get it tested before the freezing temperatures arrive. Batteries are fairly inexpensive to replace if necessary.

Next, “check your belts,” Collins said. If a belt has wear or any cracks in it, it’s best to have that repaired now. A third important concern is fluids, especially antifreeze.

“Some people run water in the radiator in the summer, which is okay,” Collins said. “But in the winter, if that freezes, it can crack your radiator and other stuff inside. You definitely want to get that checked and find out the temperature level that you’re safe for.” You can also ask your mechanic to check for leaks and make sure your radiator or heater hoses are not cracked or damaged.

You’ll want to maximize visibility and safety by making sure your w indshie ld and w indshie ld accessories are all in good shape and functioning properly.

Temperature changes can put stress on the windshield, and

it’s far easier to repair a nick in a windshield now, before the cold air turns it into a bigger problem requiring an entire new windshield. You want to make sure your wiper blades are working efficiently, and replace them if they aren’t (it’s a quick and inexpensive fix that you can do yourself). And don’t forget to have windshield wiper fluid on hand.

Finally, make sure you’ve got the right tires. “In the summer, on the tar road, your tires wear down a lot,” Collins explained. “It doesn’t affect you much then, but you need to make sure you have some good tread to get through the snow down the road.”

In addition to buying snow tires or replacing worn tires, make sure you’ve got a spare in your vehicle

that has air in it. (Learning how to change a tire is a great idea as well.)

By paying attention to these five major areas (battery, windshield, belts, fluids, and tires) you can maximize your car’s performance for the winter months. Aside from safety concerns, you may want to factor in convenience and consider getting a remote starter, which lets you start your car from inside your home before you head out.

As TJ Auger of SureStar t in Lewiston said, “It is convenient to get your engine warmed up before you drive it... it melts the snow on the windshield and helps thaw out the vehicle before you get there.”

With safety and convenience taken care of, you can look forward to a good winter for yourself and your vehicle.

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Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 24, 2010

Keep it shiny: Protect your car’s finish this winter

By Christina LeBlanc Feature Writer

The snow, sleet, and rain of the winter months can wreak havoc on a car’s finish.

There are, however, some simple steps you can take to maintain your car’s appearance this winter.

T

he mos t imp or t ant step to help your car’s finish is to get your car washed. (The International Carwash Association recommends you do it ever y 10 days for optimal results.) When you get your car washed, have it done professionally.

Not only are professional car washes gentler on your finish, they use environmentally friendly cleaning solutions and tend to waste less water than at-home car scrubbers, according to the ICA. Professional car washes are designed specifically to protect a car’s paint job and keep it looking new. Not only that, but

they can take care of mud on the undercarriage and combat the effects of the salt on the roads, which can damage your car’s finish.

It’s okay – recommended, actually – to continue washing your car in the winter; just be mindful of the outside temperature and avoid the super-cold days. If you have the time and money for a car wax, that will also go a long way toward saving your car from weather damage. For more tips on protecting your car’s finish, head to the ICA’s website at carwash.org.

Washing may be the best and easiest way to keep your car crud-free, but there are some other simple steps you can take to protect the finish as well. First, park in the shade whenever you get a chance to avoid sun damage.

If you’ve got access to a garage, even better. If not, using a cloth car cover takes a little extra time and money, but is worth it in the long run if you really want to protect your car’s appearance.

You can find a standard car cover fairly easily, or spend the extra few bucks to order a custom cover.

The winter weather is harsh, but ever yday things like tree sap and bird droppings – and even the occasional hail storm – can do a number on a car’s f inish as well.

Start your car care before winter even hits to best maintain your vehicle’s appearance.

Windshield repair: Only replace when necessary According to CarCare.org – a Web site dedicated to the education of automobile safety – the windshield, by far, is one of the most important parts on your vehicle. And, NOVUS Glass, the windshield repair experts say they agree.

“The windshield keeps you inside your vehicle while driving and it supports the roof while preserving the structural integrity so the roof won’t collapse and crush the driver and passengers. It also supports the passenger side airbag during deployment,” said Keith Beveridge, senior vice president of NOVUS Franchising, Inc. “It is vital that you make sure any damaged windshield is first repaired and in cases when the windshield can not be repaired that it is replaced properly and safely.”

NOVUS Glass is reputably known as the “Repair First, Replace When Necessary®” company and is best known around the world as the inventor of windshield repair.

According to Beveridge, there are many reasons why repairing the windshield vs. replacing it is beneficial to consumers. “It is best to save the original factory bond between the windshield and vehicle because once the windshield is removed from the car and the bond is broken, it is less likely to be as safe as the original one,” Beveridge said. For more information about the NOVUS Glass repair process, contact a

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Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 24, 2010

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FALL CAR CARE

3

Create your own car safety kit

By Christina LeBlanc Feature Writer

Flash light with spare batteries:

Cell phone charger:

Taking the time to put together a simple car safety kit could save your life, or at least make it a lot easier during a roadside emergency, especially during the harsh winter months. Below are a few essentials you’ll want to have on hand:

Keeping a cell phone charger in your car is smart; it will keep your phone ready to go so you can use it in an emergency. (Some chargers even double as FM transmitters, which you can use to stream your MP3 player through your car radio.) warm and alert while waiting for assistance.

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A car safety kit can be easily assembled and stored in the trunk of your car.

Yo u m i g ht n ot need to use these items, but you will benefit from having them at hand in an emergency.

If it’s nighttime, you won’t be able to fix anything if you can’t see. If you have some light, you can easily access your emergency items and attend to any possible quick fixes.

FALL CAR CARE

A basic first aid kit (including bandaids, gauze, aspirin, first aid cream, and tweezers or small scissors) might come in handy if you receive any minor injuries as part of an accident.

Basic tool kit:

Jumper cables:

Roadside flares:

If your car battery has died, jumper cables offer a quick fix to get you back on the road. All you need is another car and a little knowhow (read the instructions before putting the jumper cables in your trunk).

Flares will alert other motorists to your vehicle’s location and signal that you need help.

Warm-up supplies: If it’s cold out and you have no heat in your car, you could be in trouble. By keeping a warm blanket and a spare hat and gloves with your emergency supplies, you’ll have much better luck staying

Small, simple tool kits containing screwdrivers, a wrench, or pliers could come in handy and are fairly inexpensive.

Disposable camera: If you are involved in an accident with another car, a camera will come in handy for insurance purposes. Snap photos of the scene, the damage to both cars, and the other car’s license plate.

Food and drink: It’s a good idea to keep basic items like water

and granola bars in your trunk to keep you energized and hydrated in the event of an emergency.

Other supplies: A tire inflator (such as Fix-a-Flat), rags and/or paper towels, an ice scraper, and pen and paper are all good things to have on hand, along with $20 in small bills in case you need to pay for gasoline or a taxi ride.

Keep supplies easily accessible in your trunk and be sure you know how to use them. (A lot of supplies can be found around the house or inexpensively at drugstores, hardware stores, or automotive shops. You can buy pre-made kits from AAA, GoodYear, Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, and other retailers.)

Auto club membership: Above all else, the most convenient and useful investment may be in an auto club like AAA. As a member, you are eligible for roadside assistance (from towing your car to letting you in when you’ve locked yourself out) as well as travel guides and tips. Car safety services like OnStar or GPS devices are great too (a GPS can usually give you your exact location to give to police or auto clubs, or show you a detour around a closed road or other obstacle).

It’s much easier to prepare for a roadside emergency than to be caught unprepared. Taking the time to put together a comprehensive but inexpensive car safety kit can really save the day in the event of an emergency.

Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 24, 2010

SASS:

How to handle a roadside emergency

By Christina LeBlanc Feature Writer

R

o a d s i d e emergencies t ake t wo majo r forms: car trouble and accidents.

If you have car trouble, your major concerns are to stay safe on the side of the road and get in touch with someone who can assist you; in an accident, you may need to get medical help for yourself or a passenger, or document damage to show to insurance companies.

Both situations can be dealt with using the easy-to -remember acronym SASS.

know the important information, and then aler t the proper individuals to get assistance or aid as soon as possible.

Finally, the SS stands for Stay Safe. In the event of an accident, this means doing what you can to take care of minor injuries (such as small cuts) with the first aid supplies you have on hand.

If a passenger has hit his or her head, keep him or her awake until medical assistance has arrived, in case he or she has a concussion.

Remember: if a passenger has been seriously injured, don’t try to move him or her before EMTs have arrived; you risk doing more damage and putting the person in more danger. Stay calm and try to keep yourself and your passengers warm and safe.

Car trouble and accidents are nearly impossible to predict, but by being prepared with basic safety knowledge and a car safety kit, there’s a good chance you and your passengers can deftly handle any roadside situation.

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In any situation, do what you can to make your vehicle visible on the side of the road by putting your hazard lights on and using road flares if you have them. The more visible your vehicle is to passing cars, the less likely you are to cause an accident or be injured by a passing motorist.

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The first S in SASS stands for Survey. With car trouble, try to pull off the road and park your car safely to minimize your risk of getting injured or causing an accident. Then try to decide what is wrong; some things (like a flat tire or an empty gas tank) are easy to identify while other issues may have you stumped.

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Do your best to determine the trouble so you can tell a tow company or auto club what’s wrong. If there’s been an accident, you need to survey all passengers of your vehicle – including yourself – to find out if anyone has been injured and, if so, to what extent.

The A in SASS stands for Alert – which can mean calling a tow truck, an auto club like AAA, or, in the event of an accident, alerting the police or calling for an ambulance. Survey first so you

If your car has broken down and you need to wait a while for assistance, stay in your locked car with the heat on. (If you don’t have heat, wrap yourself in a blanket or whatever else you have to stay warm in cold weather. Stay hydrated and alert.)

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Remember SASS: survey the damage and/or injuries; alert an auto club, a tow truck, the police and/or an ambulance; and stay safe by keeping yourself and other passengers visible, warm, and protected.

Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 24, 2010

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5

Why repower rather than replace Here’s a way to keep your car on the road to safety and savings: If the vehicle ever develops serious engine trouble, ask yourself whether you should repower or replace the vehicle.

The choice can mean a difference of thousands of dollars.

An apt analogy If you had a serious plumbing problem, would you repair your current plumbing or install allnew plumbing? What if covering the cost of the new plumbing meant you had to apply for a loan that would take you years to pay off? What if your homeowner’s insurance rate would increase significantly if you bought the new plumbing?

“This may seem like an absurd scenario, but when engine trouble hits, many vehicle owners don’t

even consider repowering their engine instead of taking on the financial burden of buying a whole new car,” said Ken Carter, chairman of the Engine Repower Council, a nonprofit organization that supports the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign.

Cost comparison For example, to replace a worn-out engine with a remanufactured/ rebuilt engine in a 1980 to 1995 fullsize V-8 domestic pickup would cost $2,700 to $3,450 compared to an average cost of $30,000 to purchase a new vehicle. “The cost savings is significant and that’s without taking into account auto loan interest and increased insurance rates,” continued Carter.

A look at repowering With repowering, a vehicle’s engine or an identical one from a similar vehicle is completely disassembled, cleaned, machined and remanufactured or rebuilt.

If your car’s engine goes, that doesn’t have to mean your vehicle has to go, too.

Unlike used or junk yard engines with an unknown performance and maintenance history, repowered engines are dependable, reliable and backed by excellent warranty programs.

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Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 24, 2010

Maximizing vehicle resale value Depreciation is a major factor in buying and selling a vehicle. The average auto can lose 30 percent of its value after the first year. After three years – the duration of most leases – the car’s value may have decreased by as much as 50 percent. Those looking to sell or trade-in cars will need to emphasize maintenance to get the most for their vehicle. There are ways to reduce a vehicle’s depreciation and improve its resale value, whether selling to a private buyer or trading in the auto to a dealership.

1. B uy the “right” car in the first place. Some models and brands simply hold their value better than others. Dealerships will promote this fact when attempting to sell a car. Choosing these types of vehicles can mean a better resale value later on.

2. Keep geography in mind. A convertible won’t be as popular in Alaska as it will be in southern Florida.

Don’t buy a vehicle that goes against the norm in a particular geographic area. Otherwise, sellers will be left with a car with little resale value.

3. Stick to standard colors. Fad colors, such as lime green or bright orange, may turn heads, but they’ll be harder to find buyers for later on. This could reduce the asking price for the vehicle when it comes time to sell.

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4. C hoose the right upgrades. A fancy stereo system or top-of-the-line navigation system won’t necessarily add value to the vehicle. However, leather seats, a sunroof and an automatic transmission are popular among buyers.

5. M aint ain t he ve hic le. Ke ep re cords of maintenance that show the car was well cared for.

Follow manufacturers’ maintenence schedules for oil changes and tire rotation, among other things.

6. Trade in like for like. A seller may get a better trade-in rate on a used car if he or she is buying the same make in the new vehicle. For example, a Chevrolet dealership may offer a better trade-in price for that old Malibu if the owner is looking at a new Traverse.

Keep in mind that if a buyer is thinking about keeping a car until it’s racked up tons of miles and is generally older than dust, depreciation values really won’t matter much. In those instances, he or she should simply purchase the car liked the best.

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VOLVOSPECIALIST.NET Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 24, 2010

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FALL CAR CARE

7

Five tips for maintaining your motorcycle or ATV

A

mericans have purchased more than 15 million allterrain vehicles and motorcycles over the past 10 years. Along with the thrill of the ride, or the convenience of chores made easy, comes the responsibility of maintaining these machines.

Typically, most guys and gals with a garage – or at least the garage mentality – know that regular vehicle maintenance comes with the territory, much like owning a car. But knowing what to do, doesn’t always lead to doing it correctly. The owner’s manuals that come with the vehicle contain a lot of good information, including a full maintenance schedule, but here are a few items you don’t want to miss.

Changing the oil and checking fluid levels.

As with any motorized vehicle, regular oil changes are a must for your ATV. Be sure to follow your vehicle’s oil change schedule and, if

8

FALL CAR CARE

the vehicle’s been sitting all winter, check all fluids.

Check tire pressure.

Check the tire pressure on all tires and follow manufacturer recommendations for air pressure levels.

Inspect or replace the spark plugs.

The beginning of the season is a good time to replace your spark plugs, as it is a surefire way to help get your machine started more easily after its winter hibernation.

Inspecting the old one is also a good way to give you an indication as to how your engine was running.

Check battery connections.

Af ter sit ting idle all winter, you’ll want to check the battery connections for possible corrosion and ensure they are solid.

Changing, cleaning and oiling the air filter.

T his is p ro b ab l y the m os t

overlooked aspect of regular maintenance. Putting oil on an air filter may seem counterintuitive, but it is an essential step when replacing the air filter on many motorsports vehicles. Air filter maintenance is important in everything from a small off-road motorcycle to larger utility ATVs like the Yamaha Grizzly 700. Let’s take a closer look at this important step.

“Anyone who has spent a day on dusty trails and then taken a look at their air filter can attest that the foamy exterior is likely covered in dirt and debris,” said Travis Hollins, Yamaha’s ATV product planning manager. “You need that moist, sticky filter oil to catch the dirt and other particles that otherwise can foul up the engine and cause longterm damage.”

Many miss this detail because most air filters are not sold with the oil already applied. So, anyone cleaning or replacing an air filter will need to add the oil. It is a simple three-step process.

Along with the thrill of the ride, or the convenience of chores made easy, comes the responsibility of maintaining these machines.

Step 1: Remove the air filter.

Step 2: C lean the filter with a specially recommended cleaner and rinse with water.

Step 3: A llow the newly cleaned filter to dry, then re-apply your filter oil.

Yo u r l o c a l d e a l e r c a n provide more advice and recommendations or you can look up more information on your manufacturer’s website.

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., as an example, offers a step-by-step

instructional video by logging on to www.yamahaoutdoors.com.

Click on “parts and service,” then the “filter maintenance” button to view the video.

For many gear heads, tinkering with the engine and doing regular maintenance provides just as much satisfaction as a long trail ride or day at the track. A little time investment in the garage can payoff in hours of good riding.

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Feature Stories & Advertising, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, September 24, 2010