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Current
Specials
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Call us at 440-934-4318 or stop in for an
appointment soon, before the snow starts to fly. See our in-house
Fall Newsletter for a Fall Special, while supplies last!
We are a full service repair facility-all work is GUARANTEED and OUR
highly qualified and experienced service technicians are not paid to
"sell" repairs ~ only to provide quality service and maintenance.
Call us at 440-934-4318 and schedule an appointment today ~ because
breakdowns are far more expensive than scheduled maintenance. We
want to earn your trust by providing expert, honest, reliable and
friendly service to every customer-every time!"
Coupon is required to receive the discounts.
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Seasonal Information
Now is the Time to Winterize Your Vehicle
Bethesda, MD –More than 70
percent of motorists admit that they did not have their cars
winterized in preparation for inclement weather, according to a
survey conducted by the Car Care Council. This can prove extremely
dangerous if your car breaks down due to a lack of preventative
maintenance. Why take the risk?
The good news is that it's not too late to
prepare your vehicle for harsh winter weather. The Car Care Council
recommends the following tasks be performed:
- Check the coolant (antifreeze) every year;
coolant should be flushed and refilled at least every two years in
most vehicles.
- Check the owner's manual to see if your
driving habits are considered "severe," and if so, have the oil
changed accordingly, usually every 3,000 miles; consider changing
to a "winter weight" oil if you live in a cold climate.
- Check the battery and exhaust system.
- Be certain the heater and defroster are
working properly.
- Keep the gas tank at least half full,
decreasing the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and
possibly freezing.
- Check tire tread depth and tire pressure;
consider special tires if snow and ice are a problem in your area.
- Make sure the headlights work and are
properly aimed.
- Replace wiper blades every six months;
consider special snow blades if the weather dictates.
Winterizing Your Vehicle
“Below freezing temperatures can stress out a
vehicle, as well as its driver,” said Rich White, executive
director, Car Care Council. “Motorists who invest an hour or so to
have their vehicles checked will have peace-of-mind and one less
thing to worry about as the harsh winter conditions continue
throughout much of the country.”
More than 70 percent of motorists admit that
they do not have their cars winterized in preparation for inclement
weather, according to a survey conducted by the Car Care Council.
As a part of winterizing a vehicle the
following steps should be followed:
- Have the exhaust system checked for carbon
monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold
weather driving when windows are closed.
- Motorists should keep the gas tank at least
half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming
in the gas lines and possibly freezing.
- It’s also good to allow your car a little
more time to warm up when temperatures are below freezing to let
the oil in the engine and transmission circulate and get warm.
- If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done
before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as
pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
- Make sure heaters and defrosters work
properly.
- Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the
cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done
every two years.
- For antifreeze, the owner’s manual will have
usage specifications but the mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and
water inside your vehicle's radiator is typically 50:50. As a
reminder, don’t make the mistake of adding 100 percent antifreeze
as full-strength antifreeze actually has a lower freeze point than
when mixed with water.
- Very cold temperatures will reduce a
vehicle's battery power so it’s important to keep the connections
clean, tight and corrosion-free. Unfortunately, batteries don't
always give warning signs before they fail completely. If your
vehicle's battery is three years old or more, it's wise to replace
it.
- Have the brakes checked. This braking system
is the vehicle’s most important safety item.
- Check the tire tread depth and tire
pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider
special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire
pressure should be checked weekly.
- Check to see that exterior and interior
lights work and that headlights are properly aimed.
- Cold weather can affect the life of
windshield wipers. Freezing temperatures can make the rubber hard
and brittle and increase the potential for cracks. Wiper blades
that are cracked or torn, or that chatter, streak and don’t
properly clean your windshield should be changed.
- Some manufacturers offer special winter
blades that have a rubber boot covering the arm assembly to keep
snow and ice out.
- Consider using cold weather washer fluid.
- Be diligent about changing the oil and
filter every 3,000 miles. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter.
- Consider changing to a “winter weight” oil
if you live in a cold climate. Using a low-viscosity oil in winter
will flow more easily between moving parts when cold.
- Drivers in sub-zero driving temperatures
should drop their oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30 as thickened oil
can make it hard to start the car.
- Lastly, don’t forget your winter emergency
kit that should include an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper
cables, flashlight, flares, blankets, extra clothes,
candle/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks, gloves, a first
aid kit and needed medication.
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