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YOUR FALL/WINTER AUTOMOTIVE NEWSPAPER

Car Care

FALL/WINTER 2016-2017

A SPECIAL AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLEMENT

READY FOR CHANGE? HowÊ toÊ protectÊ yourÊ carÕ sÊ resaleÊ value,Ê PageÊ 4

YouÊ knowÊ itÕ sÊ coming:Ê howÊ toÊ digÊ outÊ afterÊ aÊ storm

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he arrival of cooler, shorter days is often a precursor to winter storms dominated by snowfall. A snow-covered landscape can make for an appealing image. But heavy snowfall also makes for extra work, especially for drivers who must dig their vehicles out of the snow after each storm.

Some people live in suburban areas where they can park their cars in driveways or garages, while others live in cities and have to park on the street, where snow plows can do a wonderful job of burying vehicles underneath mounds of snow. Rescuing a car or truck from a pile of snow can be tricky and time-consuming, but there is a process that can make the job easier.

• Begin by clearing out the tail pipe of the car. This is a vital first step because failure to do so can back harmful carbon monoxide gas and other fumes into the car. Take the time to clear out the rear of the car, including the taillights, so you will have improved visibility.

• When the exhaust pipe is clear, turn on the car. Some people prefer to put the defroster on right away. Others wait until the vehicle warms up before doing so. Having a warm car will melt some of the accumulated ice and snow and make it easier for you to clear the car.

• The right tools make faster work of the task at hand. A shovel is a necessity, and a telescoping snow broom/ice scraper can be helpful. This allows you to safely push the snow off the roof of the car. Some regions fine drivers who do not remove snow from the roofs or hoods of their cars, so take the time to clean such snow before driving.

• Work from the top of the vehicle down. Otherwise, you will end up negating all of your work by throwing fresh snow on the areas you already cleared.

• By now the defrosters should have kicked in sufficiently enough to make it simple to clear snow from the windshield and rear window. Use some deicing windshield fluid to dislodge wiper blades if they have frozen to the windshield. Some drivers leave their wiper blades standing on end and away from the windshield prior to a big storm to prevent them from freezing to the windshield. Consider this trick if you’re especially worried about the blades freezing to the glass.

• Use your shovel to carefully remove as much snow as possible from around the tires. Be careful not to puncture the tire with a metal shovel. Try to create a tire path in the direction you plan to move the vehicle. So if you will be backing out of the driveway, clear the way behind the car. If traction is a problem, use a bit of rock salt or cat litter behind the tires to give them more grip. Slipping a car mat under the tires also can provide much-needed traction.

• Exercise caution if you are digging out a car on a busy roadway. Make yourself visible to other motorists and use traffic cones, if you have them, to keep drivers away from your vehicle.

Do not shovel the snow in the path of oncoming vehicles.

Shoveling out after a snowstorm is a task few people enjoy. However, it is a necessity of the season and one that can be done safely and efficiently.

TakeÊ controlÊ back:Ê HowÊ toÊ handleÊ carÊ troubleÊ whileÊ driving

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udden car trouble is something no driver wants to experience, but many a driver has been driving down the highway only to feel his or her vehicle start to sputter. Such sputtering might indicate a car is running low on fuel, or it could be a sign of something more serious that requires motorists to think as quickly and safely as possible.

When car trouble strikes while a vehicle is on the road, the first thing many drivers do is check their fuel gauges. A car that runs out of gas is certainly inconvenient, but if you can pull over to the shoulder or make it to the nearest filling station, then this unfortunate situation can be remedied rather easily. But when a car’s tank is full and it is still showing signs of trouble, drivers must take steps to protect themselves, their passengers and their vehicles. The following are a few simple >> See CAR TROUBLES | pg. 7

2 - Fall Car Care

www.suncommunitynews.com

October 22, 2016

ProtectÊ yourÊ vehicleÊ fromÊ snow,Ê iceÊ andÊ damageÊ andÊ theÊ cold

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inter can be an unforgiving season.

Freezing temperatures coupled with snow and ice can take its toll on people who live in climates where cold weather is a fact of winter life.

While winter can test people’s patience, it also can be harsh on cars and trucks. Understanding what components of a vehicle can be compromised by dropping temperatures and snowy roads can help drivers take action to safeguard their automotive investments.

While the Canadian Automobile Association notes that winter can wreak havoc on just about every part of a vehicle, there are some parts that seem to bear the brunt of Old Man Winter’s abuse. Properly servicing and caring for a car or truck can help.

Drivers should take their vehicles for a tuneup and inspection before wintry weather arrives. A mechanic will examine the car battery and check antifreeze levels and make sure that the thermostat, defroster, brakes, and even wiper blades are working effectively. Have the tires inspected for adequate tread, which can make navigating roads safer. If the treads are worn, replace the tires.

In addition to visiting their mechanics, drivers can perform some inspections and fixes themselves.

• Check that all of the vehicle’s lights are operational so your car can be easily seen during inclement weather. Exchange your existing windshield washer fluid with one that will not freeze in cold conditions. Check the nozzles on the windshield-washer system routinely and clear out any blockages of ice or debris. While addressing windshield washer fluid, also replace worn out windshield wiper blades with ones that can withstand snow and icy weather.

• A new coating of wax can serve as a shield against road salt, snow, sleet, and rain. Try a polymer wax to protect the paint. Whenever possible, rinse off salt and grime so it does not dry on the car and gradually wear away at the paint. Some drivers mistakenly believe that salt stops being a problem once it dries simply because moisture is the active ingredient for a corrosive reaction. But humidity in the air is enough to keep the salt eating away at the car’s paint, and that can contribute to rust. Be sure to rinse off the undercarriage of the vehicle as well.

• Have your tires’ alignment checked toward the end of winter or early spring. A season of traveling over potholeridden roads or hitting curbs buried under snow drifts can

affect the alignment. Get everything back on track. Similarly, inspect tires routinely, as weather changes can affect tire pressure and strength.

• Use a soft snow brush or a foam brush to clear snow off of the car. Avoid hard plastic scrapers you might use on your windshield, as they can scratch painted surfaces.

• Try to park the vehicle in a garage or under a car port, each of which can protect cars and trucks from the often harsh elements of winter.

Vehicles can be affected by the cold weather. Keep them running efficiently to prevent damage this winter.

Scrapers should only be used on windows and not on the body of the car.

October 22, 2016

www.northcountryman.com

Fall Car Care - 3

FactorsÊ toÊ considerÊ whenÊ lookingÊ forÊ aÊ newÊ car

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pring is a season of rebirth, and this rejuvenating time of year can be a great time for motorists to reexamine their vehicles and start looking for new rides. With spring road trips and summer vacations on the not-too-distant horizon, drivers who have been eyeing a new vehicle may feel the time has never been more right to sell or trade-in their current vehicles for ones more suited to their current needs.

Once drivers have made the decision to get a new car, they must then decide which car is right for them. Such a decision not only requires a careful consideration of budget, but also a thorough examination of what you want out of your next vehicle. The following are some factors prospective car buyers may want to consider as they begin to look for new cars.

Passengers Parents who drive have different needs than drivers who don’t have children. When shopping around for your next vehicle, consider how many passengers you typically have in the car. Parents who drive the kids to and from a full slate of extracurricular activities may not only want a car with enough room to accommodate their brood, but also one that’s fuel-efficient so all those trips to the soccer fields and dance recitals won’t break the bank. Singles who don’t often have passengers and don’t have a driveway or assigned parking space may benefit from a small vehicle that’s fuel-efficient and easy to park.

Whatever your needs, try to avoid buying more or less car than you really need.

Driving habits Your personal driving habits are another factor to consider before buying your next car. When driving, are you traversing the nation’s highways or sticking mainly to city streets? Stopand-go city driving can be taxing on vehicles, and drivers may find manual transmissions are less enjoyable in city traffic.

Drivers whose daily commutes are mainly done on highways may be able to live with a car deemed less fuel-efficient, as highway driving tends to consume less fuel than city driving.

Local climate

likely skip the four-wheel drive option. When buying a new car, envision the weather that car will eventually encounter.

A flashy sports car may be fun to drive and surely looks great in the garage, but if safety concerns force you to leave it in the garage for several months a year, then it might not be the best car for you.

Drivers should consider their local climate as they try to decide what their next vehicle will be. If you live in a region where ice and snow is common, then four-wheel drive or allwheel drive is a feature that will likely prove worth the investment if not a necessity, while drivers who live in warm areas where the temperatures remain mild year-round can

Parents or couples buying a new car together should consider what their significant other has sitting in the driveway.

If one parent already has an SUV or minivan, then a second such vehicle may not be necessary, and buying a new car may be an opportunity to purchase a smaller vehicle that still fits

What else is in the driveway?

the whole family but won’t need to carry athletic equipment or chauffeur the middle school basketball team. The same principle can be applied to couples without children. Such couples may want to keep one sports car in the driveway and have a more practical vehicle that can better handle road trips or weekend getaways.

Buying a new car is a fun process that’s made even more fun when drivers consider their needs and target vehicles that best meet those needs.

Buyers should consider a host of factors before purchasing their next vehicle.

4 - Fall Car Care

www.suncommunitynews.com

October 22, 2016

HowÊ toÊ protectÊ yourÊ carÕ sÊ resaleÊ value F

ew 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 preowned 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 preowned 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 accidentfree 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 preowned 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 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.

October 22, 2016

HowÊ toÊ detectÊ odometerÊ fraud

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reowned car buyers looking to buy from private sellers rather than dealerships typically understand that such an approach can be risky.

When buying from a private seller, such purchases are typically asis, and rarely are buyers protected with extended warranties that may be offered by dealers who specialize in preowned vehicles.

Buying from private sellers may also leave buyers more susceptible to fraud. Odometer fraud is one type of fraud that buyers must be especially wary of when buying a preowned vehicle from a private seller, and the following are a handful of ways buyers can determine if a car’s odometer has been tampered with.

• Examine the vehicle’s service history. Before buying a preowned vehicle, buyers should always request to see documentation of the vehicle’s service history. This can shed light on how well (or how poorly) the vehicle was taken care of, and it also can serve as a clue as to the authenticity of the number on the vehicle’s odometer. Vehicle mileage is often included on repair orders or receipts provided by auto repair shops, so such reports should give you a picture of how many miles the car was driven at given times throughout its history. If the numbers on the reports don’t match up with the figure on the odometer, then the odometer has likely been tampered with.

• Inspect the dashboard. A damaged dashboard is not always indicative of odometer fraud, but it should be enough to arouse your suspicions. Loose or missing screws on a dashboard or scrapes or scarring along the dashboard often occur when sellers attempt to reset their vehicles’ odometers. Again, such damage is not necessarily indicative of odometer fraud, but if you were already suspicious of the seller, then these additional signs should be enough to compel you to walk away and continue your vehicle search elsewhere.

• Ask to take the car to your own mechanic for an inspection. When buying a preowned car, prospective buyers should insist that they be allowed to take the car to their own mechanic to determine if it is worth buying.

This protects sellers from buying a lemon and can help them determine if odometer fraud has occurred. An experienced mechanic can examine a car and determine how much wear and tear it has. If that wear and tear is more than the odometer suggests it should have, then the odometer has likely been tampered with.

• Insist on a vehicle history report. Whether buying from a dealership or private seller, buyers of preowned vehicles should always insist on seeing a vehicle history report. Mileage is always documented whenever a vehicle is registered with the state and whenever it undergoes state-mandated safety or emissions inspections. A vehicle history report from an agency like CarFax can provide buyers with a record of these registrations and inspections, and buyers can use that information to determine if the odometer on a given vehicle has been tampered with. If a seller refuses to provide a vehicle history report, walk away and continue your search until you find a buyer willing to provide the report.

Odometer fraud is employed by sellers who want to make their cars seem more attractive to prospective buyers. But buyers of preowned vehicles can employ several strategies to detect if a given vehicle’s odometer has been tampered with.

www.northcountryman.com

Fall Car Care - 5

6 - Fall Car Care

www.suncommunitynews.com

October 22, 2016

MakeÊ sellingÊ yourÊ carÊ aÊ cinchÊ withÊ theseÊ steps

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scalating costs of new cars have led many buyers to look to the preowned vehicle market when the time comes to replace their existing automobiles. Preowned vehicles can be a great bargain, putting drivers behind the wheels of relatively new cars at a fraction of the cost of brand new cars.

While the rising reputation of preowned vehicles has been good for automotive dealerships with vast inventories of trade-ins, it’s also been good for private sellers, who no longer have to deal with the stigma once assigned to preowned cars and trucks. Private sellers who want to get top dollar for their preowned vehicles can take several simple steps that might help them sell their vehicles quickly and at a price they can be happy with.

• Organize maintenance receipts. According to Edmunds.com, an online resource for all things automotive, the average price of a preowned car reached a record $16,800 in 2014. That’s a significant sum of money, and as a result preowned vehicle buyers are no longer taking the risks they might once have been willing to take when buying older, less expensive cars and trucks. Many prospective buyers expect to see a vehicle’s maintenance history, so sellers should organize their maintenance receipts for everything from routine oil changes to tire rotations and so on. If you did not keep your receipts, visit your mechanic and request a statement indicating your vehicle maintenance history. Make copies of these receipts and statements and have them readily available when prospective buyers come to look at your vehicle.

• Get a vehicle inspection before putting it up for sale. Many sellers put their cars on the market and then wait weeks, if not months, before they sell their vehicles. That may be a byproduct of misjudging the market value of their vehicles.

Have your vehicle inspected before putting it up for sale so you know its true value. Share the results of the inspection with prospective buyers so they feel more comfortable purchasing your vehicle.

• Address any issues that come to light during the inspection. Fix any minor issues, like broken taillights, dents, scratches and worn down tires before putting the vehicle up for sale. Such damage is typically inexpensive to fix, but buyers won’t want to see a car with such issues, which suggests sellers did not care much about the vehicle. If any larger issues arise during the inspection, consider trading the vehicle in rather than selling it on your own. Dealers get discounts on body work, so you may get more money for a trade-in with body damage than you would get for the same car selling it on your own.

• Be courteous with prospective buyers. Customer service is often an overlooked part of selling a preowned vehicle. Be courteous with prospective buyers, patiently answering all of their questions and allowing them to size up the vehicle as they see fit. Always go with prospective buyers on a test drive, taking a friend or relative along so you are not alone with a stranger in the car. If buyers want to take the vehicle to their own mechanic, agree to it so long as you can come along and be present when any inspection is performed. Being respectful of the position preowned-vehicle buyers are in is a great way to develop a rapport that can help you sell your vehicle that much quicker.

The preowned-vehicle market is booming, and private sellers can employ several selling tactics to get the best price possible for their cars and trucks.

October 22, 2016

www.northcountryman.com

Tips when leasing a car for the first time

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easing a vehicle makes more sense than buying for many drivers. Lease terms typically last no more than 36 months, allowing drivers to drive a different, newer car every three years. In addition, lease payments tend to be less than monthly payments when financing a vehicle, which makes driving a new car more affordable for buyers without much room in their monthly budgets.

But leasing can confuse or intimidate some drivers, especially those who have never leased before. Once drivers decide that leasing is their best option, there are some strategies they can employ to make leasing work for them.

• Make a lower down payment. Low monthly payments make leases very attractive to many drivers, but the low payments highlighted in advertisements can overshadow the often significant initial down payments required when signing a lease agreement. Those down payments, which can be several thousand dollars, make the low monthly payments possible. But drivers may want to make a lower down payment and accept higher monthly payments, as doing so offers more of a safety net should the car be stolen or wrecked.

When a car is stolen or wrecked, lessees likely won’t get a refund on their down payments.

By accepting a higher monthly payment, drivers are protecting themselves against theft or vehicle damage.

• Purchase gap insurance. Gap insurance protects lessees should their vehicles be stolen or wrecked before the leases expire. Insurance company payouts may cover the value of the car if it is stolen or wrecked, but that figure may not equal what lessees still owe per the terms of the lease. In such instances, drivers have to come up with the difference on their own, unless they have gap insurance. Some lease contracts include gap insurance, while others do not. Confirm if your contract does before signing your lease, and purchase gap insurance coverage if it does not.

• Prioritize maintenance. While allowing a car to fall into disrepair is never a good idea, it’s an especially poor decision if you are leasing a vehicle. Normal wear and tear may not incur any fees when you return the car once your lease expires, but damage or excessive wear and tear could cost you once you hand the keys back. Many leasing companies will assess the vehicle for lessees in the months or weeks before the vehicle is slated to return, giving drivers time to fix any issues before the lease expires. Take advantage of this option and be sure to address each issue mentioned in the inspection report. Failing to do so could cost you a substantial amount of money.

• Don’t let your lease overstay its welcome. Especially lengthy leasing agreements could negate any savings drivers get through leasing. Lease terms that are 36 months or less are most beneficial to drivers, as new vehicles likely won’t encounter any significant maintenance issues during that period, and any issues that do arise will likely be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

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tips motorists should keep in mind so they can safely handle any car trouble that may arise while they are out on the road.

• Keep a first-aid kit, spare tire and tire jack in the car at all times. Flat tires are no fun, but they are even more of a nuisance when drivers are not prepared to address them. Always keep a jack and spare tire in your car, even if the spare is a donut you can temporarily use to replace a flat tire until you make it to a filling station or automotive supply store. As an added safety measure, keep a fully stocked first aid kit in your vehicle in case you cut yourself while changing the tire or need to address another medical situation.

Visit www.redcross.org for a list of items to include in your automotive emergency kit.

Keep a blanket in the trunk as well so your passengers can stay warm should you experience car trouble on a cold day or night.

• Make note of your surroundings. Some car troubles can only be fixed by the professionals, so pay careful attention to your surroundings in case an issue arises and forces you to pull over and call for help. Always pay attention to mile markers and any landmarks that might help you describe where you are.

Car troubles can strike at any time and anywhere, so be sure to pay special attention to your surroundings when driving in unfamiliar areas.

• Pull over. Don’t panic if an issue arises suddenly. Remain calm and pull over onto the shoulder. The right shoulder is the area for pulling over on most roads, but you may also use the left shoulder on multilane highways with medians. Try to get as far away from traffic as possible without driving off of level ground, and always use your signals when pulling onto the shoulder. If the vehicle can’t make it to the median, put your emergency flashers on and get out of the car, moving away from both the vehicle and traffic. Immediately call for emergency roadside assistance, alerting the authorities if need be.

• Use flares or triangles to alert other drivers. So long as you are not risking your wellbeing, you can place flares and/or warning triangles behind your vehicle so oncoming traffic knows to drive around it. The popular not-for-profit motor club AAA recommends placing the first flare or triangle 10 feet directly behind the side of the vehicle that is closest to the road. The second should be placed between 30 and 60 feet (increase the distances as the posted speed limit increases) behind the middle of the bumper, while the third flare or triangle should be placed between 120 and 360 feet behind the vehicle’s right side.

• Stay with the vehicle. Once you have called for help and set up flares or triangles, stay with the vehicle, though do so at a safe enough distance so you are not in harm’s way.

Sudden car troubles can be scary, but drivers who approach such issues calmly and quickly can reduce their risk for accident or injury.

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Car trouble

Fall Car Care - 7

8 - Fall Car Care

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October 22, 2016