Tips and Announcements

It’s the start of the cold and flu season and many people take precautions to avoid getting sick. On the other hand, the health of the family car is often overlooked as winter approaches, compromising its safety and reliability during sleet, snow, ice and cold temperatures. The Car Care Council advises motorists to take the following steps to prepare vehicles for winter: Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, his should be done every two years. In the process, check containers, belts, hoses, the pressure caps and thermostat. Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper bladesand use cold weather washer fluid. Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries. 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. 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. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time. 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. Have the brakes checked. This braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item. Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

Beginning on December 1, 2006, 2002 model year and newer cars and trucks will be required to pass the State’s emissions test. As of July 1st, 2007, 1996 to 2001 model year vehicles will need to meet the same requirements. There has been a lot of controversy on this subject but it is a needed step in keeping our air clean for future generations. Not much has changed for our existing customers. We have been performing the emissions test since July 2005 on every eligible vehicle. The program was then in an advisory mode, so emissions failures would not cause your vehicle to fail. Our fees for inspection increased in July due to the increased time it takes to perform the additional test and the additional fees charged to use by the program administrator.

If your vehicle fails this new test, don’t worry. We are more than capable of testing and repairing emissions failures. We do it every day. We break down this repair into two parts. Part one is testing and analysis. Part two is repair and verification. Contrary to published reports, repairing emissions failures is not difficult when you have the proper training and tools, nor is it necessarily expensive. Some parts, like the catalyst, can be pricey, but that is only one of the many components that make up an emissions system.

Rest assured. We will give you accurate estimates all along the way. Our data says the failure rate is very low. A properly maintained vehicle will pass the new tests with ease.

With so many drivers on the road, millions of people could be driving with underinflated or overloaded tires, which puts themselves and others in danger.

Be Cool Under Pressure

Check the pressure of your tires once a month, and before every long trip. The correct inflation pressure for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found in the owner's manual, on the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door or fuel door -- not on the tire. Make sure the tires are cool when you check them by inspecting them before you get in the car to drive.

Take a Load Off

Before you fill the trunk or roof rack, check out the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for load requirements located on the placard on the doorpost or in the owner's manual. Overloading your vehicle creates excessive heat inside your tires, which can lead to tire failure. If you're planning to drive long distances with a loaded vehicle, have the alignment and rotation checked, as tires and wheels that are out of balance can cause uneven wear or vehicle problems.

Don't Let Your Tread Wear You Down

A simple way to check tire tread is to place a penny into a tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, you should buy a new tire. Also, visibly check the tread grooves and sidewalls of your tires to make sure that they're free of foreign objects, gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.

A recent announcement from the EPA that we would like to share with you.