Car Care 2015

Car Care 2015 A Special Supplement to The Daily Republic & ADvisor

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Car Care • April 2015

For your wallet’s sake, wash your car

By AMBER HILES The Daily Republic

A filthy vehicle is more than an eyesore.

Neglecting to keep a vehicle clean can be damaging to your ride and your wallet.

“Bird droppings and bugs are very acidic,” Josh Gebel, owner of Perfect Touch Auto Detailing of Mitchell, said. “It actually eats into the paint, especially when the sun is baking on it.”

The paint on a vehicle does more than define your personality, it also protects the vehicle from other elements. When paint starts to crack or chip off, the car’s body is then exposed to moisture. Moisture plus metal equals rust and corrosion, a dirty, brown disease that spreads.

Gebel said the salt that South Dakota uses in the winter is very abrasive to the vehicle exterior.

“Salt can sit on the frame and wheel well and cause rust,” Gebel said.

Gebel suggests you clean and wax your vehicle regularly to protect the paint, extend the life of your vehicle, and protect the resale value.

Whether a car-washing pro or beginner, here are some tips to ensure your vehicle and your wallet are protected.

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A proper wash Gebel suggests washing your vehicle in the shade. Direct sunlight will dry the vehicle prematurely, leaving spots. Gather the following items: • Car wash soap -- Do not use dishwashing soap. It is hard on rubber components and could remove your car’s wax.

• Wash mitt -- Sheepskin and microfiber cloth mitts are designed to pick up and hold dirt. Sponges work, but is not as kind to your finish.

• Two buckets -- One bucket will be used as a rinse bucket to remove dirt your mitt or towel has collected. If you only use one, you will be left rubbing dirt back over your vehicle. Gebel also uses a grate in the bottom of the wash bucket, which separates the dirt from the clean, sudsy water.

• A drying cloth -- An absorbent waffle-weave drying towel makes the job fast and easy. Extra microfiber detail towels are suggested.

• Wax -- Gebel suggests an over-the-counter brand such as Mothers or Meguiars.

Gebel said to find a shady spot to wash, but he cautions against washing under a tree that drips sap.

If it is extremely hot outside, Gebel said you should let your vehicle cool down before washing.

“The windshield could crack once the cool

water hits the surface, if it is too hot,” Gebel said.

To cool your vehicle, park it in the shade for a while. Rolling the windows down to let some air through is also a good idea, according to Gebel.

“The number one mistake people make when washing is using Dawn dish soap,” Gebel said. “It strips the wax off of the car.”

The best thing one can do, Gebel said, is purchase wash and wax from your local parts store.

Apply car wash soap to hard-to-clean spots like bird droppings, dead bugs and/or sap.

Wash the wheels first. Heat will evaporate the cleaner, causing spots, so cool them down with water first. Use regular car wash soap or wheel cleaner. Scrub the wheels with a brush, mitt or sponge, but keep in mind not to use the same one on the rest of the car. Finish this step with a rinse.

While you have the hose in hand, rinse the rest of the vehicle, starting at the roof and working down. Dirt and leaves tend to collect around windshield wipers. Pay special attention to this area. Spraying water with the hood open is not recommended.

Fill one bucket with car wash soap and water. The second bucket should be clear water. Use the second bucket as a rinse/dip for your mitt/towel before going back to the first bucket for more suds. If you are using a grate in the bottom of your bucket, a second bucket is not essential.

“Wash from the top down,” Gebel said.

“Make sure to keep the water and suds in your bucket fresh.”

Don’t press too hard. Washing a wet car is easier than washing a dry one, so use the hose to mist the car as needed. Apply greater pressure to stains, but be cautious.

“The flood nozzle will work nicely. There will not be enough pressure to harm the paint,” Gebel said.

Though the vehicle likely is looking better at this point, don’t ignore cracks and crevices. These areas may be cleaned with a detail brush.

Rinse thoroughly.

If the water beads into droplets on the surface, the wax coat is fine. If not, you will need to apply a new coat. If the water does bead, you can apply a spray wax which will keep the car looking good between washes.

A waffle-weave towel is designed to absorb 10 times its weight in water. Spread the towel across the car and drag it across the surface.

If you do not have a waffle-weave towel, use a towel or a shammie to wipe the vehicle dry.

“Depending on where you live, if the water is hard, you will end up with water stains if you don’t dry it properly,” Gebel said.

Microfiber towels or a shammie can be

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April 2015 • Car Care used to remove excess water in spaces under doorjambs and other hidden areas, as well.

A streak-free window cleaner should be used. Lower the windows slightly to clean the upper edges.

Wax on Regular washing is a great way to keep your car looking good, but it also needs to be detailed and waxed to protect the paint. “Depending on the quality of the wax, it will last six months to one year,� Gebel said. “Definately wax at least once per year.�

Gather the following items: • Microfiber towels • One-step polish/wax • Wax applicators or orbital polisher • Clay bar (optional) • Tar removal (optional) Before you clay bar or wax, you might want to attend to possible tar build-up.

Follow the instructions on your tar removal product. Gebel said it is as easy as spraying it on and wiping it off. “Usually, tar will be found on the side of the vehicle where the wheels throw it up,�

Gebel said.

Use a clay bar before wax, if needed,�

Gebel said.

Clay is used to remove deep ground-in dirt and stains. This will not damage the car’s finish, in fact, your vehicle should feel smoother when finished.

Gebel compared a heavily soiled vehicle to extremely dirty hands. After washing your hands, sometimes a stain or film is leftover in the cracks and crevices of your hands. The same thing happens with a vehicle. “People will notice yellow spots on their vehicles,� Gebel said. “They think it is rust.�

In fact, Gebel explains, it isn’t rust at all.

It is a combination of rail dust, from driving over railroad tracks, and salt. This hazardous combo will leave little yellow specs on the vehicle that will not come off with a wash.

Be mindful of dirt that may have leaked out of crevices. Wash this away before clay bar use.

To clay your vehicle, slide the clay back and forth over the paint. Flatten and fold the clay frequently for a clean surface. “If you drop the clay bar,� Gebel said, “throw it away.�

If you continue to use the bar after dropping it, you could end up scratching your paint with embedded dirt.

Gebel said when using the clay bar, you should clean one panel, or even half a panel, at a time. Apply the spray that comes with the clay bar according to the directions provided.

Polish cleans and smoothes your vehicle.

An electric orbital waxer can save time and effort, but you can also use microfiber towels.

Waxing in the shade is, again, preferable, according to Gebel.

Apply the wax to the applicator, not directly on the vehicle. Work on one small area at a time. “When waxing, make sure you don’t apply wax to black plastic. It will not come off,�

Gebel said.

According to Gebel, small circles for application is best. Cover the entire vehicle with a small film. “Once you go around the entire vehicle and come back, you should be ready to wipe it off,� Gebel said. “You will want a nice microfiber rag to take the wax off.�

The wax should be dry before wiping the film away.

The same wax you used for your paint can also be used on the wheels. This will protect against dirt and brake dust. A spray shine will make quick work of this task, according to Gebel.

Use a microfiber towel or detail brush to clean away any wax around trim, emblems, and badges.

Continue to wash and wax regularly.

Detailing spray can be used between washes to give your car a just-waxed look.

Local car wash Washing and waxing your vehicle properly can be a time-consuming process.

Visiting the automatic car wash can be the preferable option for those constrained by time.

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“The car wash technologies are so much better than they were in the past,� Gebel said.

The local car washes, he said, are a good option for a wash, and he also suggests utilizing the spray wax. “It isn’t as good as waxing by hand,� Gebel said, “but it does throw a good protectant on your vehicle.�

Some protectant, after all, is better than none.

The car wash facilities in town, he said, work on sensors. They can detect how big a vehicle is and accommodate them.

Gebel said if you have strobe lights, big mirrors or a very high vehicle, check with the attendant or make sure to read the signage. “The car washes do a good job,� Gebel said. “The spot free rinse is great.�

Additionally, the local wash facilities have very soft water, Gebel said, so it should not do any damage. Because of this soft water, drying is a nonessential step. But, if you prefer to dry the vehicle, don’t be deterred.

When you use the self-serve washing system, be wary of rock chips on the bumper. “If you get too close to these chips with the high-pressure hose, you could tear the paint off,� Gebel said.

Gebel suggests following all the instructions at the self-serve station, he said are posted everywhere.

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Car Care • April 2015

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April 2015 • Car Care

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Things you may not know about leasing a car

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36,000 miles in the vehicle. Any additional miles on the vehicle when it is turned in at the end of the lease would incur a penalty. But mileage limits are negotiable, and drivers who think they will exceed 12,000 miles per year can tailor their leases to allow for additional miles. Extra miles will cost more money, but that extra expense will likely pale in comparison to excess mileage charges, making it well worth the investment for drivers to negotiate extra miles into their lease at the time of signing.

• You may need to pay a substantial initial down payment. Monthly lease terms are favorable to men and women who cannot afford to finance a car or those who want to avoid long-term financing with hefty monthly payments. But many leases require lessees to pay substantial down payments upon agreeing to the lease. If such a down payment proves a hurdle you cannot clear, then it’s important to know that some leases do not require a down payment at all, while others require only a minimal payment

mobile lease. Gap insurance protects lessees and covers their remaining lease payments if a car is stolen or wrecked while the lease is ongoing. Some lessees choose to accept gap insurance, while others do not. The latter group is taking a risk that the car will not be stolen or wrecked during the life of the lease. If it is, the driver will then be responsible for the monthly payments even if he or she no longer has the vehicle. Drivers in the former group will not be on the hook for such payments. Some lessees never use their gap insurance, but the peace of mind it provides is worth the investment for many drivers.

Leasing is a great way for drivers to drive new automobiles they otherwise might not be able to afford. But drivers should familiarize themselves with the ins and outs of leasing before signing on the dotted line.

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By Metro Creative Many people prefer leasing an automobile to buying one, and leasing can be more advantageous than buying in various ways.

For example, leasing allows drivers who cannot afford to purchase a new and more reliable vehicle the opportunity to drive such a car or truck, at a cost that is considerably less over the long haul than buying the vehicle outright. Leasing also makes it possible for drivers who prefer newer cars to exchange their automobiles every few years, saving them the expense of maintaining a car as it ages.

When leasing an automobile for the first time, motorists may not be aware of certain things about leasing that could benefit them over the course of their leases. The following are a few such things that drivers may want to consider when negotiating an automobile lease at the dealership.

• Mile restrictions are not set in stone.

Standard leases typically limit drivers to 12,000 miles per year over the life of the lease. In such an agreement, a threeyear lease would allow lessees to drive

upfront. However, such leases may be exclusive to drivers with exceptional credit.

• You can comparison shop with a lease.

Much like you would comparison shop when buying a car, you can do the same when leasing. After a dealer runs your credit and/or estimates your down payment, you may feel as though you cannot afford to lease a new car. But you have many options to choose from when looking for an auto lease, and each one is likely to make a different offer. If you persevere and do your research, you ultimately may end up with a lease that puts you in a new car at an affordable price.

• Gap insurance protects you in case of a theft or wreck. Gap insurance (which stands for guaranteed asset protection) is available but not standard for an auto-

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Car Care • April 2015

Paint versus car wrap options a good deal of skill to turn out looking good. Furthermore, painting a car involves a variety of different tools and equipment, from a spray gun, sander and buffer to specific types of enamel or acrylic paints.

After considering the work involved and the expense of investing in the equipment to get the job done right, many vehicle owners opt to hire a professional to change the color of their vehicles. Many service centers offer two options to change the look of a car or truck: painting and car wraps.

Paint job A professional paint job will yield an impressive result. A skilled auto painter can recommend the right type of automotive paint for your make and model and guide you in color selections. While there are hundreds of different color choices available, professionals also may be able to mix colors to create the custom look you desire.

Paint work may be done to match the existing color of the vehicle after accident repairs have been made. Or you may be tired with the color of your car and simply desire a change. Experienced service shops can offer these services and more. Other shops may specialize in custom paint jobs that may entail graphics, detail work or the blending of multiple colors to give the vehicle an airbrushed effect. Custom painters are artists, and their work may be very detailed.

Painting may demand your vehicle be off the road for a week or more, so it's best to have an alternative travel plan. Also, be sure to investigate how painting will affect the value of the vehicle. A paint job may end up depreciating the value of a resale because it's changing the original vehicle permanently.

bevy of different colors and styles.

Wraps also can be used for custom graphics or to advertise businesses.

The vinyl wrap completely covers the paint of the vehicle. But because car wraps can be removed, they do not permanently change the vehicle and are therefore unlikely to affect its resale value.

Car wrapping can take less time than a labor-intensive paint job.

Some jobs can be completed in only two or three days. Car wraps also may be the less expensive option if you're not selecting a complicated, custom design. Many car wraps will last between five to seven years, which is on par with the life span of a professional paint job, which lasts five to 10 years.

Changing the look of a vehicle may be as simple as choosing a new exterior color. Professional paint services and vinyl car wraps make it easy to switch up the style of a car or truck.

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By Metro Creative Over time a car's exterior can fade or suffer some dings and dents. Before owners sell or trade in their rides for something new, investing in a new color may be

all that's necessary to revitalize the look of the vehicle.

Changing the color of a car is not something every driver should try on their own. Such a task can be time-consuming, and it requires

Car wrap Car wraps are typically made of high-quality vinyls that come in a

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April 2015 • Car Care

Checklist for the seasons

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Changing weather means car could need a tune-up

By CAITLYNN PEETZ The Daily Republic

It was an uncharacteristically warm winter in South Dakota, but experts say that doesn’t mean your car doesn’t need some extra attention headed into spring and summer.

“A lot of times in the winter time you get a lot of contaminants,” said Scott Maeschen, owner and manager of Lawler Automotive in Mitchell. “You’re going from a cold situation to a warm situation, so a lot of different things happen there.”

Maeschen says that with the transition from winter to spring and summer, parts of your car have to work harder than they did in the winter, and it is important to make sure those parts are functioning correctly.

“Different things have to work that didn’t have to work all winter, like the cooling system. When it’s warm out, for example, the cooling system has to work, whereas in the winter, it didn’t have to do a whole lot, so you need to make sure it’s running properly.”

Some of the things you should have assessed this spring, either by yourself or by

a professional, according to local mechanics are: • Tire pressure: Varying temperatures affect tire pressure. On average, tires 1 one to 2 pounds of pressure a month.

• Wiper blades: Wiper blades deteriorate with the repeated use that comes with snow and rain.

• Engine coolant and radiator: These things help to ensure your car doesn’t have overheating issues.

• Oil: Depending upon your car’s mileage, your car may need an oil change.

• Tire alignment: Road conditions in the winter are often poor, which can wreck your car’s tire alignment.

• Lights.

• Turn signals.

• Brakes.

Maeschen added that having your car checked by a professional isn’t a bad idea to ensure that everything is running smoothly and is ready for the changing weather that comes with changing seasons.

Maeschen isn’t alone in stressing that pro-

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The right car seat makes for a safer ride for children ufactured to meet higher weight limits in the rear-facing position. However, always verify the exact height and weight limit for the seat by reading the information booklet or the safety data that is printed directly on the seat.

In addition, know how to safely use the seat, including which tethers should be used in which seating positions. Children should sit in the back of the vehicle away from airbags.

Avoid used seats Unless you can verify the full crash history of a car seat, it is best to buy it new rather than from a thrift store or on the Internet from a third party. Car seats are stamped with a useby date.

“All car seats on the market at tested for safety,” said Cindi Dixon, clinic manager at Avera Pediatrics Plus in Mitchell. “You just need to look for a car seat that fits your needs.”

Dixon said Pediatrics Plus is the only place in Mitchell that performs car seat checks.

Dixon noted all car seats expire, and it’s important to know when a seat expires.

Materials in car seats can degrade over time, and harnesses may stretch. It’s wise to replace car seats after several years and treat a new baby in the family to his or her own car seat instead of using a hand-me-down.

Once a seat is cracked, it’s compromised, Dixon said.

She added that once a car seat has been involved in a crash, owners should discard that seat. It is compromised and cannot be safely used again.

“When someone comes in and have had an accident, I make sure to cut the harness straps out before putting it in the dumpster,” Dixon said. “I do the same thing when a seat is expired. I don’t want someone to get a hold of it and use it.”

Car seats can prevent injuries and death.

They’re one of the best safety investments parents can make, as long as they’re researched and used properly.

Learn proper installation Consumer Reports notes that about 80 percent of parents and caregivers misuse car seats in one way or another. Follow the directions for safe seat placement and positioning of tethers and safety belts. You can watch videos online on how to install safety seats properly, and many seat brands may direct you to an informational video. Some First Aid and police squads offer complimentary seat checks to reassure parents that seats are installed correctly.

Dixon sees two common mistakes regarding car seats -- the seat is not tightly secured and the harness straps are not tight enough. When a car seat is properly secured by a vehicle’s seat belt or by latch hooks, the car seat should not move back and forth more than 1 inch.

“If it does, it’s too loose,” Dixon said.

Harnesses that secure a child in a car seat should not be loose at all, she added.

“I always say to tighten the harnesses up as tight as you can get them,” she said.

When Dixon does a car seat check, she makes the caretaker install the car seat, place a child in the seat and fasten the harness. Most of the time, the seat and harness are too loose, Dixon said, so she shows the caretaker how to properly install the seat and fasten the harness.

Older children in booster seats, which are designed to position passengers correctly to make use of the vehicle’s seat belts, should have a proper fit. The lap belt should lie flat and on top of the thighs. The shoulder belt should rest directly in the middle of the shoulder and not too close to the neck.

Dixon said the lap belt should not be on the belly. In the event of a crash, the belt over the belly will cause internal injuries.

Rear-facing, longer Many experts now advise keeping children in rear-facing car seats as long as possible -- even up to age 1. These seats are being man-

Know the types of seats Children may go through three or more safety seats before they’re allowed to safely ride using the vehicle’s own passenger restraint

system. In addition to infant car seats, manufacturers offer convertible seats, harnessed seats, belt-positioning booster seats, and builtin safety seats. Many children are ready to bid farewell to car seats when they reach about 4-feet-9-inches tall.

“That’s about 8 to 10 years old,” Dixon said.

“Many don’t realize children need to be that tall to ride without a car seat.”

Access professional reviews A number of organizations rate available car seats on the market. Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are just two of the groups that provide ratings that can take the guesswork out of selecting the best car seats. Regulations change frequently, and car seat engineers continually modify designs to keep kids as safe as possible. Frequently revisit car seat reviews to check whether your seat is still receiving high marks or if it’s time to invest in a new car seat.

-- The Daily Republic’s Anna Jauhola contributed to this report.

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By Metro Creative No matter what is stored in the trunk, a driver’s most precious cargo is his or her passengers. Never is that more apparent than when children are on board.

Finding the right car seat can be challenging.

When used correctly, such seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent, according the Safe Kids Worldwide organization. Whether you are buying a car seat for the first time or upgrading an existing seat as your child grows, being informed can help with the decision-making process.

Car Care • April 2015

How to protect your car’s resale value

By Metro Creative Few drivers start thinking about resale value when driving a new car off of the dealership lot for the first time. Still enamored with that new car smell, drivers can be excused for not thinking of resale value as they put the pedal to the metal and speed off in their brand new ride.

But it’s never too early to start protecting a vehicle’s resale value, especially if you hope to recoup as much of your vehicle investment as possible when the time comes to sell your car or trade it in for a newer model. The following are some ways motorists can protect the resale value of their vehicles from the moment the dealer tosses them the keys.

• Keep all maintenance records. New cars typically do not require much maintenance. But drivers should keep records of all work and maintenance done on their vehicles, even if that work does not extend beyond routine tuneups or oil changes. Keeping maintenance records shows prospective buyers you prioritized taking care of the vehicle over the years,

and that makes the car or truck more attractive to pre-owned vehicle buyers who want to avoid buying a lemon or a car that has not been taken care of.

• Don’t overlook looks. Looks can be deceiving, but new car buyers who eventually plan to sell their vehicles should do all they can to keep the car looking as new as it did the day it was first driven off the dealership lot. Much like homeowners benefit when selling a home with curb appeal, a car that looks good gives buyers the impression that it was well taken care of. But a dirty car or one with lots of dings and dents is a red flag to pre-owned car buyers.

• Keep a clean interior. New car owners typically maintain some strict rules with regard to food and beverages in their vehicles. After all, no one wants their brand new car to succumb to stains or spills. But the longer drivers have a car the more lax they tend to become with regard to allowing food and drinks into their cars, and that can ultimately hurt the resale value of the vehicle. Maintain a clean interior

whether you just bought the car or have driven it for a few years. Much like an impressive exterior leaves a lasting impression, a clean interior that has not succumb to coffee stains or muddy boots is more likely to impress buyers than a car with an interior that has seen better, cleaner days.

• Drive defensively. It’s not just what you do to a car but how you drive the car that can affect its resale value. Driving defensively reduces your risk of accident, and an accident-free preowned vehicle is a top priority for potential buyers. But driving defensively also reduces wear and tear on your vehicle, as over time constant stop-and-go, aggressive driving takes its toll on vehicle engines and other components.

• Periodically examine the vehicle history report.

Today’s pre-owned car buyers know to ask for a vehicle history report before buying a car. If your vehicle history report contains any suspicious or inaccurate information, you may be forced to sell the car for less than it’s worth

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or delay selling until you can have any issues corrected. That won’t necessarily happen overnight, but you can avoid dealing with a host of issues all at once by periodically examining the vehicle history report. Any discrepancies on the report can be brought to the attention of your insurance company, who can then work with you to correct the issues and restore your vehicle’s reputation.

Resale value may not be foremost on the minds of new car owners, but the earlier buyers begin to factor resale value into their car-care routines, the more they will benefit down the road.

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April 2015 • Car Care

11

Spring weather, car care go hand-in-hand

By Marcus Traxler The Daily Republic

With spring here and nicer weather sticking around, Adam Hillman says it’s time for some additional attention to car care.

As service manager at Vern Eide Ford in Mitchell, Hillman said April and May are common months to emphasize car care.

“It seems like it follows the weather,” he said. “Some of our customers flip on their air conditioning for the first time and see that it’s not working like it was last year.”

Items like oil changes and regularly scheduled maintenance usually get some attention when spring arrives as well, Hillman said.

Hillman said some advice he gives customers is to watch their tires in the spring.

“People tend to think about their tires in the winter because of the snow and needing to grip the roads, but it’s also critically important in the summer,” he said. “You can be on a rainy, slick road and your braking distance will be shortened

considerably if the grips are not good.”

Another area to check is outof-the-ordinary sounds that a car might be making.

“Listen for those noises,” Hillman said. “If you’ve been driving your car for three or six months with that rattling going on and you’ve been ignoring it, now might be a good time to get that checked out.

Sometimes you’ll see that when someone else drives or rides in your car and they’ll point out something you might be used to.”

April is National Car Care Month and the nonprofit group Car Care Council says results of vehicle inspections held at community car care events across the country during April and October 2014 reveal that 84 percent of vehicles need service or parts, up 5 percent from the previous year.

“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value.

These results show that the majority

of vehicle owners could save money by being proactive in the maintenance of their second largest investment,” said Rich White, the group’s executive director.

The Car Care Council has also tracked some of the most common finds from inspections.

When checking lubricants and fluids, the three top failure rates were: low washer fluid at 27 percent; low or dirty motor oil at 25 percent; and low, leaky or dirty coolant at 17 percent. Power steering, brake and transmission fluids were also checked, and had failure rates of 13 percent and below.

When checking under the hood, nearly one in five vehicles (18 percent) needed a new air filter and 13 percent had the “check engine” light on. At least one belt was reported as unsatisfactory in 17 percent of the vehicles inspected, and 8 percent required at least one new hose. Battery cables, clamps and terminals needed maintenance in 14 percent of the vehicles inspected, while 9 percent of the batteries were

not properly held down.

Approximately 16 percent of vehicles had front windshield wiper failures, and at least 11 percent of vehicles needed lights replaced, including headlights, brake lights and license plate lights. Improperly inflated tires were found on 10 percent of the cars, and 14 percent had worn tread and were in need of replacement.

“Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time to focus on your vehicle’s maintenance needs to make sure it is ready for the upcoming spring and summer travel season,” White said.

-- Additional information from the Car Care Council

Metro Creative photo

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Car Care • April 2015

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