Spring Car Care 2016

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Car Care

May 25, 2016 |

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Family Features

S

un may be shining and summer breezes blowing, but before you put those windows down and settle in for a leisurely drive to soak up that fresh air, your car needs some freshening of its own.

Regular car care helps ensure that your vehicle looks and runs its best, and timing your car care to the seasons can help ensure all of your equipment is in top condition to protect your safety.

Ensure you and your car are well-protected and ready for summer with this car care checklist.

Steve’s

Import Auto Service, Inc. Maintenance & Repair

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Domestic & Most European

1111 Michigan Street • Sandpoint, oint ID

208 -263-4911

Slick Tips for Driving on Wet Roads n Ensure

your tires have a safe margin of tread.

n Replace

any bulbs, especially for brake lights, immediately.

n Ensure

your headlights are clean for optimal road visibility.

n Always

use signals to alert other drivers of lane changes and turns.

n Slow

your speed before turning and avoid braking while making the turn.

n Avoid

abrupt steering changes.

n Increase

brake.

your following distance to allow longer stopping time for a sudden

n If

you hydroplane, do not attempt to accelerate your way out or brake.

Release pressure on the gas pedal and steer your way to safety.

n Never

attempt to enter or cross a roadway covered in water.

SEEK CLARITY Auto Glass Repair & Replacement

Priest River Glass

(208) 448-2511 • 800-858-5013

“Like it never happened” 311 W. Walnut Newport, N WA (509) 447-3933

ally Locally d Owned & Operated

rship New Owne & New nt Manageme

Same Perfection Tire Quality Service Stop in and say “Hi”

GET READY FOR SUMMER! Time to let us check your Oil • Coolant • AC • Alignment Brakes • Shocks Certified Master Tech on duty to serve you!

Lifetime Guarantee Loaner Cars All Insurance Accepted Free Estimates

Newport, WA • 509-447-4225 www.rogersbodyandframe.com

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| May 25, 2016

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Give your car a checkup An all-over maintenance checkup is a good starting point to get a pulse on your car’s condition. A multi-point inspection

AUTO INC CAREY’S BODY Hi-Tech Collision Repair We work with your insurance company to repair your vehicle to “before-accident” condition

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1101 S. Main. St., Colville

www.careysautobody.com

can help alert you to signs of wear or damage on parts such as your belts, which can weaken as a result of colder weather, and your brakes, which are critical for safe driving.

Your engine relies on clean oil for smooth operation, so if it’s time for a change (usually every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on manufacturer recommendations) you can schedule a change to coincide with your service appointment.

Keep your view safe and clear Keeping your windshield clear is an obvious necessity for everyday visibility, but the quality of your wiper blades is even more important in inclement weather. Old or damaged blades may not be up to the task of keeping your line of sight clear during a heavy down­pour. When it comes to choosing new blades, give careful attention to performance.

Traditional metal wiper blades, installed on many new cars, have exposed suspension components that can become damaged with exposure to extreme weather. Newer vehicles may include beam blades, with a pre-sprung steel beam designed specifically for that vehicle. However, many replacement beam blade designs are compromised to fit a large array of vehicle

models and do not properly adapt to the varying curvature of windshields. This results in reduced wrap and contact pressure on the windshield, as well as poor wiping performance.

A better option is hybrid blades, such as Michelin Stealth Hybrid wiper blades, which feature an exclusive Smart Flex technology that automatically adjusts wiper blade contact pressure across the curvature of the windshield for improved wiping performance. Engineered for durable wiping in extreme weather conditions, the wiper frame and suspension system are completely covered to protect the blades from weather-related damage. The Michelin EZ-Lok Connector System allows for a quick and simple blade replacement. Learn more at MichelinWipers.com.

If your vehicle has a rear wiper, remember to replace it, too.

Check your traction Your tires are another of your car’s essential safety features. Excess or uneven tire wear can be extremely dangerous in wet and slick road conditions. If your tires can’t get adequate traction, you may find yourself hydroplaning or losing control.

What’s more, tires are an expensive investment, so before em-

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DEPART Spokane: Bank of America Howard & Riverside 6:35 AM Newport: Safeway 8:30 AM Spokane Bank of America Howard & Riverside

P.M. ARRIVE

DEPART

2:00 PM

Spokane: Bank of America Howard & Riverside 2:05 PM

4:15 PM

Newport: Safeway

5:45 PM

Spokane: Bank of America

4:30 PM

In the City of Spokane, we pick up or drop off at the Bank of America on Riverside and Howard. Upon request, we can also pick up at the following locations: Spokane International Airport, any of the major Hospitals including VA hospital, NorthTown Mall, Northpoint Wal-Mart, 29th and Regal, Fancher and Sprague or Trent and Fancher.

If you have a disability that prevents you from reaching one of our stops, please call our office to see if we can arrange a pickup at your home.

One-way fares $5.00 Newport/Spokane Reserve seating has priority. Open seating is available without reservations as capacity allows.

To reserve a seat, please call 24-hours in advance or during office hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm

1-877-264-RIDE (7433) • 509-534-7171 Service is open to the general public. Service is available to all regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability. This service meets the requirements of the American’s With Disabilities Act. This service is funded through grants from Washington DOT.

barking on your next road trip, make sure your tires are properly inflated, balanced and rotated. This can help ensure you get the most mileage out of your tires before needing to replace them.

Show your shine Sound operations aside, you’ll get more enjoyment out of your car when it looks as great as it runs. A thorough cleaning of the exterior after the harsh winter and rainy spring months helps whisk

away any damaging substances, such as the salt used to melt ice and snow, and any residue left behind by spring showers.

Protect and preserve your vehicle with products, such as BarrettJackson Auto Care’s full line of interior and exterior products.

Liquid Wax, a signature product in the line, is specially designed with Carnauba wax to achieve a longlasting, deep shine with no powdery residue.

Barrett-Jackson Wash & Wax saves time by lifting away dirt and

enhancing shine in one step, while the rapid detailer is great for those in between touch ups.

For an all-over shine to complete the freshly cleaned look, Tire Shine is a quick, no-hassle way to maintain sleek, wet-look tires. Make sure to select a tire shine that will not sling off on your car when driving. Find more information about these and other products designed to keep your car looking flawless at barrett-jacksonautocare.com.

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May 25, 2016 |

Whitey’s Wrecking

489-3850

1-800-735-2376 376 Daily Worldwide Shipping ping

Dealing Exclusively with New and Used Import Car & Truck Parts We Also Locate Hard To Find Parts All Major Cards Accepted

Courtesy photo|Getty Images

Cell phones and smart devices cause distracted drivers. However, other technology like collision and lane departure warning devices, can help make drivers safer on the road.

Increase road safety with cost-effective technology Driving conditions have drastically changed in recent years, and thanks to the rise of cell phones and smart devices there are more distracted drivers on the road than ever before.

In fact, the National Safety Council reports that 1.6 million crashes each year are a direct result of cell phone use while driving.

So what steps can you take now to prevent your family from becoming another accident statistic?

Forward collision warning and lane departure warning technology can be the difference between an average commute and a tragedy on the highway. The systems use radar technology to detect if you get too close to an obstacle or another vehicle, which signals the system to sound an alarm – providing up to five full seconds of extra reaction time. That may not seem like much, but imagine how far you can go in five seconds when speeding down the freeway at 60 mph.

This technology isn’t just available in new luxury cars. You can get it installed aftermarket in your current vehicle at a fraction of the cost.

Safe Drive Systems is leading the charge in helping drivers protect themselves and their families on the road by providing affordable forward collision and lane departure technology that can be outfitted into almost any car.

Here are just a few ways that collision avoidance systems can

save you money in the short- and long-term while keeping you safe: • Don’t wait for mandatory collision-avoidance technology.

This technology isn’t just available in new luxury cars. You can get it installed aftermarket in your current vehicle at a fraction of the cost.

Government and consumer advocacy groups are attempting to make forward collision warning technology mandatory in all new cars by 2022. However, you don’t need to wait to protect your family – the technology is available now.

This potentially life-saving upgrade is available to all consumers, and getting it installed in your vehicle can provide you and your family a safer driving experience years before the auto dealers will begin manufacturing the technology in standard models – at a higher price point.

• Upgrade your safety features without buying a new car. Most manufacturers and dealerships won’t add collision avoidance technology to a car that’s already been purchased. However, you don’t have to buy an expensive car to be safer on the road. Drivers need to be aware of cost-effective

aftermarket solutions that can be installed in almost any automobile. This technology can add up to $4,000 to the price of a new car from the manufacturer, but consumers can install it in their current vehicle for half that cost. And with some aftermarket vendors offering interest-free financing, making it even more affordable, there is no need to wait for the government mandate or purchase a brand new vehicle.

• Reduce accidents and prevent hikes on insurance premiums.

When drivers get into a car accident, they can often expect to pay thousands in insurance surcharges and fees over time on top of repair costs. Avoid these costs by relying on technology that assures a reduction in accidents.

Some collision-avoidance vendors are even willing to pay up to 50 percent of your insurance deductible if an accident should occur.

• You’re not just surrounded by other drivers when you’re on the road, you’re surrounded by text messages, tweets and apps too. With 80 percent of today’s car accidents caused by driver inattention, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there’s no reason for waiting to take necessary and cost-effective steps to make your car safer.

For more information and tips on how to make your vehicle safer and reduce accidents, call 855826-4234 or visit safedrivesystems.com.

Open: Mon. - Fri., 8:00 - 6:00 4330 E. Francis Avenue, Spokane

www.whiteyswrecking.com

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‘Cinderella Era’ of your vehicle is no fairy tale Once upon a time, buying a new car may have sounded like a dream come true, but keeping your car through the “Cinderella Era” can mean more gold at the end of the rainbow, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“The smartest way to get a solid return on your vehicle investment is to keep your car through what we call the ‘Cinderella Era.’ That’s the period of time after the payoff when your car is still in great shape

and needs only modest repairs,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “With proper care, the typical vehicle should deliver at least 200,000 miles of safe, dependable performance, and that’s no fairy tale.”

By simply allocating the equivalent of just one new car payment, motorists can cover an entire year’s worth of basic maintenance and live happily ever after with their current vehicle. The most common

maintenance procedures and repairs to keep a car operating safely and reliably while maintaining its long-term value involve checking the oil, filters and fluids, the belts and hoses, brakes, tires and air conditioning. The council also recommends an annual tune-up and wheel alignment.

“Whether it’s an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments on a new car,”

White said. “The end of the story is that a properly maintained vehicle is safer, more dependable, more fuel efficient, less polluting and more valuable.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.

For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

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509-447-1200

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| May 25, 2016

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Bruce A. Hunt, Agent Auto • Home • Boat

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509-447-3428

Emerald Automotive “We Stand in Front of our Brake Jobs” Tune-ups Computer Diagnostics Diesel Repair

900 Bonner Mall Way

Headlight Maintenance 101 When is the last time you changed your headlights?

May is the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for spring and summer, when most road travel occurs. While many focus on oil changes, brake pads and tire pressure checks, there’s one safety element that’s critical yet often overlooked – vehicle headlight maintenance.

Headlights are an active safety item and are the first line of defense on a vehicle; if drivers cannot see objects on the road, they cannot react. To prevent this, drivers must be proactive about headlight maintenance. Proper maintenance maximizes the amount drivers can see down road and side road, which can mean additional reaction time, helping you to avoid hazards that cause accidents.

To spread further awareness on automotive care, owners should follow four best practices when it comes to proper headlight maintenance year-round: Understand the choices in headlight performance levels: When it comes to headlights performance, many consumers should know that there are a variety of choices available on the market to help suit their individual needs. For instance, there are options avail-

Parker & Sons

1-800-545-2173

Quality Service Since 1980

able that offer brighter down road visibility or whiter light which improves contrast and helps drivers distinguish objects on the

With one headlight out, drivers are essentially seeing half as well as they potentially could. side of the road better than basic headlights.

Replace before burnout: All too often, vehicles with a burned out headlight can be found traveling on dark roads, posing a risk to both the driver and others on the road. With one headlight out, drivers are essentially seeing half as well as they potentially could. If a vehicle owner cannot remember the last time headlights were changed, it may be time for replacements.

Always replace in pairs: It’s very important to replace headlights in sets of two. Since headlights dim over their lifetime, a new bulb paired with an old bulb will create an uneven field of vision, which can be a major distraction on the

road for both drivers and oncoming traffic.

Do it yourself: Changing a vehicle’s headlight bulb can be a simple process that doesn’t require a mechanic or service professional.

In fact, various online guides and resources exist to help consumers swap out headlight bulbs in a matter of minutes. Consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual for bulb/ headlight replacement procedures, needed tools and safety precautions. Always wear safety glasses and work gloves, as well.

Asking a simple question such as, ‘do you want to see better when driving at night,’ can help motorists understand the importance of changing their headlights for an improved on road experience.

Updating a vehicle’s headlights can affect the lives of drivers and their overall experience on the road.

Better headlights can help improve visibility and increasing chances of seeing objects sooner in the event of an accident or hazardous road conditions. This is a simple maintenance check that drivers of all ages should prioritize when it comes to overall road safety.

If you can’t remember the last time you changed out your headlights, now is a good time to consider an upgrade.

Tips to save money at the pump (Family Features) As gas prices continue to drop, motorists should take advantage of their savings at the pump and invest it back into their vehicles. By spending a little now to increase fuel efficiency, drivers can multiply fuel savings and save more money at the pump, according to the Car Care Council.

Here are a few simple steps for motorists to be car care aware to improve fuel efficiency and save money in the long run: Engine performance: Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of four percent.

Tire pressure: Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent.

Motor oil: Improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using the grade of motor oil recommended by the manufacturer.

Air filters: Replacing clogged air filters on older vehicles can improve fuel economy and will improve performance and acceleration on all vehicles.

Gas cap: Damaged, loose or missing gas caps allow gas to vaporize into the air.

For more tips to increase savings and fuel efficiency for your vehicle, visit www.carcare.org.

Riverside Automotive Service and Repair

208-263-3483

Our Mobile Unit Will Come to You in “Repair First, Replace When Necessary” Pend Oreille County

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ready: Turn your attention inside From Page 2B

Once the exterior is complete, turn your attention inside. Pick up any trash or debris, vacuum and wipe down all interior surfaces. A moisturizing treatment will help clean and condition leather, preventing it from

drying out and cracking. Also give interior glass a wipe down for the clearest visibility possible and be sure to pick an interior protectant that doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue to help renew and protect all interior surfaces, including plastic, vinyl, rubber and trim.

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(509) 292-8979

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