Fall Auto Connection 2015

Auto Connection A special supplement to The Daily Republic and Advisor

Fall 2015

2

Fall Auto Connection • October 2015

Protect your vehicle from snow, ice and damage from the cold METRO CREATIVE Winter 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.

“I’ve lived in Mitchell all my life, so I don’t know about other places, but if you don’t keep tabs on your tire pressure and antifreeze levels, you’ll have some problems,” Scott Maeschen, owner of Lawler Automotive in Mitchell, said.

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,

“

“I’ve lived in Mitchell all my life, so I don’t know about other places, but if you don’t keep tabs on your tire pressure and antifreeze levels, you’ll have some problems.”

Scott Maeschen

”

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.

“Those things are important,” Maeschen said. “You can tell after the first good freeze who didn’t get those things checked, because they’ll be in the shop with problems and needing help.”

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

What’s inside

Prepping your motorcycle Tips for getting ready for the winter. 9

How to dig out your car from the snow.

You may need more than just a shovel. 12

On the cover Cover design by Stacey Schleich/Republic.

See PROTECT, Page 3

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October 2015 • Fall Auto Connection

9 Steps For a Winter Ready Car 1. 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.

2. Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.

3. Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.

4. Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.

5. 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.

6. Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.

7. Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

PROTECT Continued from Page 2

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 the alignment of your tires checked toward the end of winter or early spring. A season of traveling over pothole-ridden 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 carport, 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.

— The Daily Republic’s Caitlynn Peetz contributed to this report.

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8. Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

9. Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals.

Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter.

Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

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Fall Auto Connection • October 2015

Navigate vehicles safely with GPS METRO CREATIVE Upon their arrival on the automotive marketplace, global positioning systems, or GPS, quickly became a phenomenon. Even today, years after that introduction, GPS devices are still relied on by millions of people to help them navigate the country’s roadways. Many others rely on the GPS of their mobile phones, employing such capabilities in concert with digital maps while driving.

Although they can help a person with directions or make it easier to find the nearest fuel station or rest stop, GPS systems are not foolproof. Plus, when used improperly, they may increase the risk for accidents by drawing drivers’ attention away from the road.

According to Corvallis Micromorphologic, Inc., GPS work with a group of satellites that communicate with GPS devices to pinpoint a car’s location.

They can do so up to 164 to 328 feet of your location. Afterwards, your position on the planet is overlaid with a digital map and navigation information stored within the GPS receiver. The GPS can then provide directions and suggest routes based

on certain parameters.

GPS has virtually eliminated the need for paper maps to get from point A to point B. Many people argue that GPS has made it safer to drive because drivers and passengers no longer need to fiddle with maps should they get lost. What’s more, GPS devices decrease the chances of getting lost and becoming distracted by surroundings when looking to get back on course. For those unfamiliar with the roadways or surroundings, navigation systems can alert drivers to which lane to be in and upcoming turns or obstacles.

However, GPS devices are fallible.

Trusting in them too completely can lead to consequences. The following are safe ways to use navigating devices.

• Pre-program the device. Don’t program the GPS while moving. Enter the destination prior to departing. For those drivers who need to make changes or more fully examine the directions, pull over to a safe area to do so.

• Select a hands-free device. When buying a device, select a GPS navigation system that is hands-free. This can be a unit that mounts on the windshield or is built into a car’s dashboard. Avoid holding

a mobile phone to look down at a map.

Drivers who do so can take their eyes off the road long enough to cause an accident.

• Learn the terminology. Each GPS unit is different and may have different lingo for particular instructions. Very often a device may instruct drivers to “keep left” when it simply means to stay straight on course. This can confuse motorists who may think they need to get into a left lane.

Take the GPS for a trial run in a familiar area to learn its particular quirks.

• Avoid distractions. The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety found GPS use can, in certain instances, increase distractions while driving. NETS found when GPS users muted their devices instead of listening to voice commands, they spent more time looking at the screen than at the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates driver distraction plays a role in up to 30 percent of car crashes in the United States each year. GPS systems can be yet another distraction. Avoid staring at the screen by looking ahead at the directions mapped out by the device to have an idea of what’s coming

next. This should be done before embarking. Drivers should limit looking at the GPS screen to passing glances, just as they would any component of the car. Have a passenger assist as the navigator.

• Use common sense. Not all directions are accurate and they may change based on road conditions or new traffic patterns.

Drivers should not follow GPS directions at the cost of ignoring common sense and road signage. Also, the rules of the road should always take precedence over what the GPS is telling the driver to do.

GPS devices have made getting around easier. Using them in a safe manner can reduce distractions and help drivers reach their destinations.

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October 2015 • Fall Auto Connection

5

Car battery care in extreme weather

Few things can be more frustrating than jumping into the driver’s seat on a frosty morning, turning the key in the ignition and failing to hear the engine roar to life.

Frigid weather can cause trouble with a car’s battery.

Some drivers do not understand why, but getting the facts can help people avoid having to deal with dead batteries on cold winter days.

Cold temperatures wreak havoc on batteries because they slow the chemical reaction inside of the battery.

Batteries work by combining lead plates with lead dioxide and sulfuric acid to create electrons. While batteries can function under myriad conditions, the cold weather tends to degrade high-quality batteries and may render subpar batteries useless. The cold weather can cause the fluid in the battery to freeze and lose function. A battery that is frozen will not hold a charge, and, as a result, the car won’t start.

There are various ways to protect a battery from failure in the cold, and some of them involve taking precautionary measures even before the arrival of cold weather.

• Assess the age of your battery. If your battery is old, now may be the time to replace it. Batteries differ in how long they last, but many last anywhere from five to 10 years. If your car is still running on its original battery and your card is several years old, it may be a good idea to get a new battery before the arrival of winter. Battery size will not necessarily provide better starting. It’s important to buy the correct battery for the make of your car, which can usually be found

on while the car is idling. Otherwise the car will not inside of the owner’s manual. be putting out enough power for the alternator to • Verify that there is no corrosion. Corrosion can precharge the battery and power the electrical systems. vent a car from starting just as much as a worn-out • Disconnect the battery. If your car will be stored in a battery. Corrosion is caused by a faulty connection garage for the winter, disconnect the battery. Certain that allows battery acid to escape and corrode surdevices, such as clocks and alarm systems, continue rounding areas. Regularly inspect the battery to keep to drain battery power when the vehicle is off. If abreast of issues that may cause corrosion. Carefully your car will not be driven enough to recharge the clean away any corrosive residue that has formed battery, keep it disconnected when the automobile and make sure the battery is correctly seated. is being stored.

• Install a battery blanket. A battery blanket is used to Cold weather can sometimes wreak havoc on vehicles. wrap around the battery and fit inside of the battery Knowing how to skirt trouble with your car’s battery can cover. A cord with a plug runs from the blanket to keep your car on the road throughout the winter. a wall outlet. The blanket can produce enough heat to keep the battery fluid from freezing. A trickFast & Reliable Towing le charger can also be mounted on the battery.

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•Minimize the use of automotive accessories.

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Fall Auto Connection • October 2015

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October 2015 • Fall Auto Connection

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The benefits to car loan preapproval METRO CREATIVE

When purchasing a new vehicle, many people choose to finance their purchases. Much like buying a house, financing a vehicle requires buyers to produce a down payment and then make monthly payments on the vehicle until the balance of the loan has been repaid in full. Financing is a must for many consumers, who otherwise could not afford to purchase a new or reliable preowned vehicle. And just like prospective homeowners can benefit from being preapproved for loans before they begin searching for a new home, auto buyers also benefit in various ways from getting preapproved for a car loan before they begin their search for their next set of wheels.

• Preapproval smooths out the negotiation process. Few people enjoy haggling with car salesmen over the price of a new or preowned vehicle, and that process is even more difficult when buyers aren’t entirely sure of how much money they have to spend. When financing your vehicle with a preapproved loan, however, the process of negotiation can go much more smoothly, as you and the salesman

know you only have a predetermined amount of money to spend. Ask the price to get the car off the lot, and then you can negotiate from there if you feel it necessary.

once they have told the salesman they want to buy the car and finance their purchase.

Those who have not been preapproved often must sit through a sales pitch in this office or sit patiently as the salesman goes

ou need, y g in c n a n fi e h t t e G u want! and get the car yo • Preapprovall cuts spentt att t back b k on time ti the dealership. A car dealership’s finance and insurance office is where buyers sit

backk and the finance manager b d fforth th with ith th as you negotiate the final cost of the vehicle. However, when you have been

preapproved for a loan, no such back and forth needs to take place, and you can cite your preapproval as a reason you don’t want to commit to the extra add-ons that many dealers attempt to sell their buyers.

• Preapproval means the car is yours when you take it off the lot. Dealers are sometimes too quick to put keys in a buyer’s hand, and buyers with poor credit sometimes are allowed to drive a car off the lot only to find out days later that the lender rejected their application, at which time they must return the vehicle or return to the dealership to apply for a new loan, which will almost certainly come with a higher interest rate. Preapproval allows buyers to avoid this frustrating and sometimes embarrassing process.

• Preapproval reduces the risk that you will overspend. Many a new or preowned car buyer has fallen in love with a vehicle and spent more than they should have to make the car their own. Preapproval greatly reduces the chances of this happening, as you know before you begin your search that your lender will only approve a loan for so much money. This can help buyers stick to a budget and avoid buying a car they can’t afford.

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Fall Auto Connection • October 2015

Items to include in your automotive emergency kit METRO CREATIVE Road trips can make for great weekend getaways or even more lengthy vacations for those who can’t get enough of the open road. But before embarking on any road trips, motorists should replenish their automotive emergency kits with the following items so they are fully prepared in the event of an accident or an injury.

FIRST-AID KIT: A first-aid kit can treat cuts and abrasions suffered while you are out of the car and even some minor injuries that may result if you are in a car accident. Include essential items like adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, bandages, a cold compress, gauze, and scissors.

TOOLS: It’s important to include tools in your automotive emergency kit. While a full toolbox might be unnecessary, bring along an adjustable wrench, a flathead and Phillips screwdriver, a pair of pliers, a tire jack and crow bar, an ice scraper, and a flashlight. Extra roadside flares and reflec-

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FLUIDS: While it’s best to check all of your vehicle’s fluids before beginning a road trip, it does not hurt to bring along some extra fluids just in case you start to run low while out on the road. Fluids to pack include motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Include a funnel with these items so you can easily pour them in should you be running low.

WIPER BLADES: Include an extra set of wiper blades in your automotive emergency kit. Maintaining wiper blades is an often overlooked component of vehicle maintenance.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Some items that may not seem synonymous with road trips can come in handy should you find yourself in an emergency. Few examples are a blanket, energy bars, bottled water andwork gloves in your car.

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October 2015 • Fall Auto Connection

9

Prepping your motorcycle for the long winter season.

MOTORCYCLE GUIDE SPONSORED BY SABERS VICTORY & V-TWIN

Winter’s getting close and if you are like most motorcycle riders, this means putting your prized possession away for a few months, but don’t despair: this step-bystep will help you prep your bike for long term storage.

Things you’ll need: • Cleaning items • WD-40.

• Fuel stabilizer • A battery tender or trickle charger.

• Wax for paint finishes.

• A bike cover or breathable fabric sheet.

• Chain cleaner/lube (if needed) • Wood blocks to lift the tires off the ground, if your motorcycle isn’t equipped with a center stand.

Prepare Your Engine, Exhaust, and Battery for Long Term Storage First, you will want to make sure the engine oil is clean. Old oil can trap contaminants which damage rubber seals, and performing an oil and filter change before long term storage will help preserve your engine.

over the winter months.

With a carbureted engine, you should turn the petcock into the “off” position, Cleaning Your Motorcycle loosen the float-bowl drain screw, and for Long Term Winter Storage catch the fuel in a container. If draining it Dirt and grime will damage motorcycles, isn’t possible, you can run the engine with both cosmetically and mechanically, so the petcock in the “off” position until it use these tips to preserve your bike during dies. Because moisture can accumulate in long term storage: half-empty tanks, fill up with gas and top • Wash your motorcycle before storage, it off with a manufacturer-recommended and be sure to let your bike completely dry fuel stabilizer.

If you’re storing your bike for more than before covering it, as trapped condensation can cause rust. six months, you might want to protect • Use a degreaser to clean your piston and cylinder rings from sludge from the outside of the potentially rusting. To engine. do so, remove each spark • After washing your bike, plug and pour a tablespoon apply wax to any paint surof fresh engine oil or spray faces, and chrome polish to fogging oil inside. Ground the ignition chrome; this will keep moisleads and turn the engine several times ture away. to spread the oil before replacing the • If stored indoors, a spark plugs. breathable piece of fabric or You may also want to a bike cover can help keep spray some WD40 into dust off. the exhaust pipe(s) in • If you can’t store the order to keep water bike inside, you might away; and keeping not want to cover it moisture out will presince covers can trap vent rust. moisture and do more Clean the battery leads 2016 Victory High-Ball. harm than good. and attach a battery tender to your battery to keep it charged

Ensure fluids are fresh and full.

If your brake fluid is in need of changing, do so before long-term storage.

Similarly, hydraulic clutch fluid should be changed before you store your bike; both systems may suffer failure if moisture gets in.

Also make sure your coolant is fresh (if water-cooled), as deposits can form from old fluid.

Unload the Suspension If your motorcycle has a center stand, use it for long term storage.

If you’re not riding for several weeks and don’t have a center stand, you may want to consider carefully propping up the bike using blocks. If done correctly, lifting your motorcycle will alleviate stress on the suspension and tires.

Inflate your tires to the maximum recommended pressure will maintain their shape, since cooling temperatures will make the pressurized air contract.

If the ground might potentially freeze, try to keep the tires off the ground using wood blocks.

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Fall Auto Connection • October 2015

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October 2015 • Fall Auto Connection

11

Transporting holiday gifts

As families spread out across the country and even across the globe, the holidays can become a little more difficult to navigate.

According to AAA, a federation of motor clubs throughout the United States, roughly 90 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more for year-end holidays.

Families that are spread out must decide where to spend the holidays together. But in some cases, families can’t all be together, so celebrations must be handled remotely and gifts shipped to waiting recipients.

Shopping for gifts may have taken some time, but now you will have to figure out how to get those gifts where they need to go. The following are some pointers for holiday celebrants who are driving, flying, taking a bus, or shipping gifts.

Shipping dates If the goal is to purchase and ship gifts near and far, starting early has its advantages. Thousands upon thousands of cards and packages are shipped each day during the holiday season. In 2013, shipping giant UPS projected 132 million deliveries during the last week before Christmas, and actual figures exceeded those expectations.

Many shipping services will get packages to recipients on time, but customers can help them along by sending them several weeks before the holidays. Shipping later in the season may incur additional fees for priority shipping. Always check sellers, “purchase by” dates to ensure items will arrive on time.

Items that will be shipped internationally should include a detailed description as well as the value of the package. Presents under a certain value may be duty-free or tax-exempt. Check with customs to get a better idea of the shipping regulations.

Plane ride Airlines have specific regulations in place regarding which items can and cannot be brought on planes, at least inside of the cabin. Thanks to increased security measures, restrictions are greater than they once were. Transportation Security Administration officers may have to inspect items for safety purposes. It may be better to leave gifts unwrapped and then wrap them after the flight to avoid hassles during the screening process. Liquids, including foods, may need to be put in a checked bag if they exceed 3.4 ounces.

Consider shipping delicate items ahead of

time if you are concerned about breakage.

Packing the car If a holiday road trip is in your future, space constraints may require you to be a little creative when packing the car. Shop for smaller gifts, including gift cards, which are easier to transport. Advise family and friends that you will have limited space so they should not go overboard with regard to gifts given to you in return.

Heed safety precautions and do not obscure driver visibility in the car by stack-

ing presents too high. Also, secure boxes and packages in the car so they do not slide or move around. Anything that is not secured can become airborne in the event of a collision, increasing the risk for injury.

Items placed on roof racks should be tightly secured so they don’t fall off and present a hazard.

Those who will be traveling for the holidays should plan how to transport any gifts they will be bringing along long before the day comes to hit the road.

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Fall Auto Connection • October 2015

How to dig out your car after a storm METRO CREATIVE

The 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 de-icing 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.

Metro Creative photo

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.

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