GVSU Car Care Special Guide

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CAR CARE

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

DRIVING IN

Allendale When driving through campus and the surrounding area, it’s important to be careful. Although many of the roads do get salted, they are still rather slippery and dangerous.

First, watch out for stoplights, stop signs, pedestrian cross walks and places that have people monitoring cross walks. All of these areas on campus get very busy at vari-

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ous parts of the day. Make sure to be cautious of what is going on around you in order to bring your car to a slow, safe stop.

Second, parking lots tend to be particularly icy, so don’t lower your guard just because you’re no longer on the road. Drive slowly when pulling in or preparing to leave a parking spot to avoid hitting a vehicle or pedestrian in your vicinity.

Third, Lake Michigan Drive should be proceeded with extra caution. With the curvy hills and high wind speeds, it becomes hard to see much of what is happening around you. The snow tends to blow, making for a complete white out, and the road get fairly slippery. In many areas, especially during weekdays when people are travelling between campuses, the street gets busy. Keep a space equivalent to two or three cars between you and the vehicle in front of you to avoid an accident.

Four, when taking the back roads such as Fillmore Street toward Jenison, be aware of your surroundings, and take the snaky hill and sharp turn cautiously. For the most part, this street seems to be fairly safe if you drive at a moderate speed and break early enough in advance. Deer and other animals are commonly spotted in this area though, so keep that in mind, especially in the winter months.

Five, West Campus Drive, Pierce Street and 48th Street, among others in the area, get very icy in the winter. These streets have been known to have several cars spin out.

Drive at a moderate to slow speed, keep a large amount of room between you and other cars on the road and prepare to stop long enough in advance.

Most importantly when driving in the Allendale area during the winter, and just driving in the winter in general, be cautious and confident. Black ice and slush are sometimes unavoidable, so remember to keep control of the wheel. Panicking only makes situations worse.

CAR CARE

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

5575 Lake Michigan Dr

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CAR CARE

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

CAR PREP W

the air, the

worries have shivered into the bones of drivers. Although the imal at the moment, it only gets colder from here. As the snow begins to accumulate and the ice begins to condense, avoid slipping and sliding by simply paying attention to the road. accidents for Grand Valley State University during the winter time are due to driving too

fast for conditions and vehicles that are not ready for winter. Students should partake in a quick inspection rather than burning their money when the unprepared car fails them on the slick roads.

Hansen-Dyke offers a variety of tips and services to keep your car intact and the money in your wallet.

Driving safely during these cold months includes not only the mindset of the driver but also the tires and maintenance of the car. To insure that

your car is ready follow the Hansen-Dyke checklist: -Does your car need an oil change?

-What are the lev-What is the percentage of the tread on your tires?

-What is the tire pressure on your tires?

-Is your car running soundly?

Students can receive all these services at the local mechanic at great deals with brand new tires starting at $150.

Also bring your GVSU I.D. To receive a discount on your next oil

change or brake repair service. Students can receive up to 10 persaid that maintenance of a vehicle helps reassure drivers, but the key to driving safely is to slow down and be cautious.

“Any driver needs to travel according to how the weather conditions dictate and they need to be prepared for that,” Weaver said. “One should check the weather, you know, here in Allendale it’s sunny and mid-20s, south of here

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along the lakeshore snow right now. Know your travel routes and communicate with friends and family.”

So before the inches of snow begin to fall and the ice begins to pack, make sure to not only mentally prepare yourself for driving but also physically prepare your car. With these tips students, public will make the roadways safer and can avoid the bills of a car accident. spendowski@lanthorn.com

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CAR CARE

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

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CAR CARE

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

FALL SERVICE SPECIALS ENGINE TUNE UP

SYNTHETIC 4x4 SERVICE

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Remove old fluid from the front rear differential & transfer case, replace with GM Synthetic Fluid

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COOLANT SERVICE

119 95

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Flush cooling system with new coolant, pressure test, check hoses, cap & connections.

Exp 12-14-13. Most makes/models. Not valid with other offers.

BATTERY REPLACEMENT

22995

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FRONT END ALIGNMENT

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OIL,TIRE ROTATION, INSPECTION

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CAR CARE

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

T

he temperature is dropping and leaves are falling, which can only mean one thing—winter is coming. Before winter hits, it is imperative to get your vehicle prepared.

Jill Tolman, who co-owns Tolman’s in Allendale along side her husband, suggests a winter tune up and to make sure your wipers and battery are functioning properly.

“A battery that isn’t working to par won’t last the winter temperatures,” Tolman said.

Don Mulder from Allendale Auto Service points out that maintence is also important.

Check your vehicles charging system, alternator, battery, starter, and make sure your antifreeze stays up to temperature.

Tires are also an important component of having a safe winter on the road.

Maintenance and tune ups should

ideally be done before it starts to freeze and the snow starts to fly, but its better later than never. As the winter hits it is a good idea to keep certain items in your vehicle at all times.

“Make sure you have a good snowbrush and also a winter kit just in case you do break down you can stay warm,” Mulder said.

A successful winter kit consists of flares, kitty litter to help you get unstuck by helping to create traction, hand and feet warmers, and a shovel.

Keeping a full tank of gas is also important because it keeps moisture from forming and prevents freezing.

Keep in mind that driving in winter conditions is much different than driving on a perfect summer day. Drive according to the conditions and remember to accelerate and decelerate slowly to help regain traction in the ice and snow and don’t try to power up hills because it will only increase your risk of spinning out.

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On days where ice or snow is present keep an eight to 10 second following distance between vehicles to allow more reaction time. Also on those kinds of days don’t use your cruise control but remain in manual control.

“Make sure you know your brakes.

If you have the antilock system brakes push the pedal straight down and keep it there. If you don’t have the antilock then pump your brakes,” Tolman said.

As the winter quickly approaches it is important to prepare so the upcoming winter will be a safe one. Take your vehicle in for a winter tune up and check to make sure everything is working properly. It is better to be overly prepared than not prepared at all, so pack a “winter kit” in your car in case of emergencies.

Most importantly when driving, remember to drive according to the conditions. Help us make this winter as safe as possible on the roadways by being cautious and geared up.

Lanthorn G R A N D VA L L EY

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