Keeping Your Car Cool During These Summer Months

June 6, 2014Tips and HIntsOzzie

We got into the 90s this week and it’s not fun. Sure, it’s nice pool weather, but it’s no fun when you get into your car after work. The hot steering wheel, the steamy air inside, the feeling like your air conditioner will never cool your car down. Us Texans are familiar with all of them, and it’s a way of life. But, there are a few things you could do to minimize the heat in your car. If you take a couple of seconds, each time you get out of your car, to do some minor additions to your routine, you may not hate Summer so much.

1. Use a sunshade. I cannot recommend this one enough! Next time you’re in any auto store, Wal-Mart, or Target, purchase one of those aluminum-looking sunshades that you extend and put in your windshield. You’ll notice a big change in the temperature of your car after it’s been sitting in a parking lot for a few hours.

2. Crack the windows. If you keep the same air trapped inside your car all day, then it will continue to get hotter and hotter. By providing a little bit of ventilation, and a place where the air can escape, you lower the temperature significantly.

3. Park under shade. This one may seem like a no-brainer, but I see people park in broad daylight instead of a nice, tree-shaded spot because it’s too far away. Parking under that canopy, garage, or carport will be well worth it when you realize just how much of a difference it makes to keep your car out of the sun.

4. Cover your seats. If you’ve got leather or vinyl seats, they absorb a lot of the heat, so the rest of the air inside suffers. Get a blanket and cover those seats! After all, if you’ve experienced a Summer with leather seats, you’ve probably regretted the decision to leave the house and take a seat on your flaming hot seats.

These are just a few ideas on how to keep your car’s interior from reaching the same temperature as the Sun. What do you do to minimize the Sun effects on your car’s temperature?

Ozzie’s Q&A: Air Filters

June 4, 2014Maintenance and ServiceOzzie

Welcome to the newest installment of Ozzie’s Q&A! Air filters are a vital part that keeps your engine running at it highest capacity. By keeping a clean air filter, you prevent having to make expensive repairs on your investment. Here are a few questions I get on a regular basis, to help you understand exactly what it does and when you should get it replaced.

How does an air filter work?

Your vehicle’s engine requires oxygen for burning the fuel that you put in your gas tank. We all know that there’s particulate matter in the air we breathe, insects, pollution, pollen, you name it, it’s probably in the air. A quality air filter keeps these unwanted particles out of your engine. If you didn’t have an air filter, your engine efficiency would go down the tubes and you would have to be replacing parts on a regular basis.

What are the benefits of replacing an old filter?

Changing your air filter is helpful if you’re looking for better fuel efficiency because fresh air is integral to keeping your engine running smoothly. A new air filter can increase your fuel efficiency anywhere from 6-11% in some cases! Other benefits include a longer engine life, due to less stress on your engine and your engine emitting less pollution.

How often do I need to change my air filter?

Depending on the air filter, every 30,000 to 60,000 miles is an ideal interval to replace your disposable filters or thoroughly clean your reusable filters. Checking your air filter when you get your oil changed is a good idea, because you never know what can jam up your air intake. Double check the filter manufacturer and set a reminder to replace it!

What kind of car questions do you have? Find us on Facebook and send us a question, maybe I’ll answer it on next week’s Q & A.

Gas is Creeping Up Again: Tire Pressure

May 21, 2014UncategorizedOzzie

If you haven’t noticed, gas has been on the rise again and it’s time to go over some ways to keep your car from unnecessarily using too much gas. I filled up my car the other day and it was almost $60! I can’t afford to do that more often than I need to. This is the first in a series of posts about getting the maximum miles per gallon in your vehicle. Up first is tire pressure!

Keeping your tire pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended setting is important to maintaining a higher MPG and prolonging your tire’s life. When you let your tires ride around with too little pressure, your engine is working harder to turn those wheels, therefore, you’re burning gas when you don’t need to. Most reports that I’ve read have shown anywhere from a 2% to 3% increase in miles per gallon. That may not sound like a lot, but when you stretch it out over the life of your vehicle, it adds up.

SAE International has conducted many test and studies on the effectiveness of tire pressure and one of the most telling findings are as follows:

Subsequently, tire inflation data from 2000 vehicles in six cites were analyzed to determine the extent of passenger car tire underinflation. These data sources were then combined to estimate the nationwide excess fuel consumption, about 600 million gallons per year, due to tire underinflation.

600 million gallons per year! If that’s not reason enough to check and maintain your tire’s air pressure, I don’t know what is.

Check your owner’s manual for the optimal tire pressure for your car and purchase a dependable tire pressure gauge so you can save some money at the pump.

Dogs Don’t Belong In The Bed of Your Truck

May 19, 2014UncategorizedOzzie

I was driving to Main Street Days over the weekend and I saw something that aggravates me to no end. There was a pickup truck in front of me at a light with a dog in the bed. I hear of people losing their dogs when they’re roaming free in the back end even when there’s not an accident. You may think they are enjoying being out in the sun, with their noses stuck out in the wind, but I assure you, they are terrified and confused.

Letting a dog roam around the bed of your pickup truck is not only dangerous for the dog, it’s also dangerous for the other drivers on the road. Just one brake check or swift move, and your pup could lose his or her balance and end up on the roadway. At a high rate of speed, that would very easily be fatal. It would also potentially cause a domino effect of accidents trying to avoid that one.

Some owners claim that using a leash in the bed of the truck to secure them is a good idea. I disagree, I’ve read numerous reports of dogs being strangled when they attempted to jump out, only to leave them hanging over the side of the truck, unable to breathe.

I’ve also heard of people putting dog carriers in the bed of their truck. That may seem like a safer alternative, but the reality is, if you get into an accident, even a minor one, that cage will do no good.

The only place to have a dog travel with you is in the cab. If you have an extended cab truck, keep them in the back seat, so they will not bother you as you’re driving. Keep your dogs safe! I don’t want to hear anymore stories of people losing their beloved animals due to letting them ride in the back.

Main Street Days Are Finally Here!

May 14, 2014Just for FunOzzie

Living here in Grapevine, it’s easy to head to Fort Worth or Dallas for the many art and music festivals they have throughout the year. Grapevine has a pretty good one too! About a block away from our dealership, there’s the best one of all. This weekend (May 16,17 & 18), Main Street Days is finally here and I’m ready to get out there and drink some of the wine, listen to the music, check out the art and take home some of the craft beers. Main Street Days is such a fun time for me, since I’m a big fan of live music.

This year, it looks to be even bigger than ever! tons of food vendors, wine tasting, craft beer tasting, and of course, plenty for the kids. Don’t forget the Grillin’ Competition, I’ll probably be there taking notes. I’m always looking to up my game on my grill. There’s nothing like a perfectly grilled steak.

The best thing about Main Street Days? It’s the price! It’s only $7 for adults, $5 for kids under 13, free for kids under 5. You can’t even go to the movies for that cheap, and you’ll definitely spend more time and have more fun than you ever would in a movie theater.

You’ll also see a good amount of local artisans and artists. If hand-made is your thing, then you won’t want to miss this.

What Ever Happened To The Sunday Drive?

May 12, 2014UncategorizedOzzie

Photo Courtesy of Alaska-In-Pictures.com

Remember when we used to get in the car on a Sunday morning and head out for a nice drive? Maybe it was to a lake or a down a curvy mountain road with the windows down and enjoying the sights and sounds. It seems that we’ve become too busy with work or too distracted with our Xboxes, laptops, iPads and other electronics.

I remember when my father would get up on Sunday mornings and have his cup of coffee and wonder aloud where we were going. We usually ended up taking a drive way out of the way of the city to a lake. Winding roads, trees as far as you could see, and the smell of nature filling up the car’s interior. It was a great feeling, just getting out of the house to spend a couple of hours with no real agenda on where we were going or what we were doing. Taking to the open road with the windows down and nothing but the road in front of us is a lost art.

What ever happened to roads like Route 66 that would curve and move with the land, instead of just a straight-shot? The curvy, 2 lane, roads that you only see in rural areas that give you the great scenic views are my favorite and I wish we had more of them here in Grapevine. Let’s bring back the Sunday drive so we can leave our electronics, and the daily grind behind for a couple of hours. Now that Spring is here, it’s the perfect time to roll your windows down, or, if you’re in a convertible, pulling the top down and enjoying the fresh air!

When’s the last time you took a Sunday drive?

The Best Things To Keep In Your Glove Compartment

May 9, 2014Tips and HIntsOzzie

There are certain things that every driver needs to have handy, just in case you get in a fender bender. How many times have you thought to yourself, “Why don’t I have that in the car?” With me it’s always napkins, I have to have napkins in the car. Whether it’s because I’m a messy car eater or my allergies are acting up, I can always use napkins. Here’s a list of things I think should be in every glove box.

Owner’s Manual

You many not use this one as often as you should, but it’s always a wealth of information about your car. Whether it’s finding out how to use the radio or how many gallons of gas your car holds, it’s all in there. Keep it with you at all times.

Maintenance Records

Do you remember the last time you had your muffler replaced? What about your water pump? Me neither, but I do keep a record of everything that’s been done to my car, so when I take it in for something to get repaired, I should be able to look at my records and see if it’s under warranty or it’s time for a new one.

Emergency Contact Information

You never know when you’ll need it, but when you need it, its imperative that the people you have designated as your emergency contacts can be alerted if there is an emergency. Keeping a list of family and friends who can respond almost immediately in the case of an accident are very important to have.

Flashlight

You don’t have to go out and buy one of those massive flashlights that roll around the back of your car. You can get a small LED one for under $10 and it’ll light up anything you need it to. It’ll come in handy when you’re trying to figure out how to change your spare tire or you’re looking for something you dropped in between the seats.

Multi-Tool

You’ve seen them at every hardware store you’ve ever been in. You know the one with the screwdriver, knife, bottle opener, and pliers all in one. I can’t tell you how many times it’s come in handy for me.

Insurance Card

In the event of them catching you speeding down the highway, you definitely want to keep this handy. You don’t want a ticket for failure to provide proof of insurance, even if you have it.

Hot Cars Are No Place For Kids

May 7, 2014Safe DrivingOzzie

This past weekend, it was our first foray into 90+ temperatures and already someone has accidentally left their child in a car. According to North Richland Hills police, the temperature was only 84 degrees, but that was high enough to kill a 1 year old. Don’t make the mistake of leaving your child in a car, not even for a few minutes. Here in Texas, during the summer, it gets up to 110 degrees and when you’re inside a car, the temperature jumps up 20 degrees within a few minutes.

Here are a few statements from SaferAutomobiles.com

If the ambient temperature outside is 90 degrees, the temperature of a car can reach 109 degrees in just 10 minutes. Contrary to popular belief, slightly cracking the windows has little effect on the internal temperature of your car.

Also:

More than 550 kids have perished in hot cars in the United States since 1998. This number is astonishing, when considering that most of these deaths were completely preventable.

That’s a number that makes me sick to my stomach. Over 500 kids have died because they were left in a car on a hot day. If you are too distracted to remember that you have a child in the back seat of a car, then you probably shouldn’t be driving in the first place. As we learned last week, distracted driving also kills.

If you see a child left alone in a car, no matter for how long, call 9-1-1 immediately. I’m still waiting for our auto industry to develop alarms that notify you when you’ve left precious cargo in your car. After all, we have backup cameras, bluetooth radios and plenty of other advancements. Be safe out there and never leave anyone (pets, children, others) in your car, regardless of the amount if time you’ll be gone, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes.

Signs That You Need To Replace Your Brake Pads

May 5, 2014Maintenance and ServiceOzzie

Your ability to stop your vehicle is, quite possibly, the most important feature of your car. Can you imagine getting on a highway going 70 miles per hour and then realizing you had no brakes? That’s why keeping your brakes in working order should be at the top of your list of maintenance chores that never skip over. Here are a few ways to know when it’s time to get your brakes checked by a professional.

Pulsating Brake Pedal

When you push down on the brake pedal and your car begins slowing down, if you notice it pulsating, then they need to be looked at. Generally, pulsating brakes means your brake pad is warped due to heat or just plain worn out.

Clicking Noises

If you’ve started noticing a click when you approach a stop sign or red light, that means there’s something happening with your brakes. Car manufacturers install a anti-rattle device to stop that clicking sound when you depress the brake pedal. If it’s rattling, then something’s not right. Get it checked out.

Squealing Brakes

Modern brake pads have a small piece of metal attached to the side of your brake pads. They may look like an accident or that they don’t belong, but I assure you, they do. They are designed to emit a squeal when your brakes are nearing the end of their usable life. If you’ve started hearing high pitched squeals, then it’s time to bring it in and let us get you a new set of brake pads.

Also be sure to keep your brake fluid adequately filled. If you are constantly replacing your brake fluid, then you’ve got a leak and that means you’re probably putting undue stress on your brake pads (as if stopping your car wasn’t enough stress).

If you have a need to get your brakes checked, bring it by and let us check it out for you.

Distracted Driving In The Headlines Again

April 30, 2014Safe DrivingOzzie

Well, it happened again. I know I preach about not texting and driving quite a bit, but as long as it keeps happening, I’m going to keep writing about it. There’s widespread news coverage of a 32 year old woman who sent a Facebook status update about the song she was listening to on the radio and moments later, she hit a car and never made it to the hospital. Here’s an excerpt of the news report from KTLA:

Courtney Ann Sanford, 32, was killed in the crash Thursday morning on Business Interstate 85 freeway in High Point, according to a High Point Police Department police report.

Sanford “became distracted by using a smartphone for Internet access just prior to losing control of her vehicle,” the police report stated.

If that’s not a wake-up call to everyone out there who insists on texting, checking their email, or updating their status on Facebook.

Research suggests that some 26% of traffic accidents involve smartphone use as the catalyst. When are we going to get it through our heads that taking our eyes off the road for any reason at all is a bad idea. Back when the radio was first made a standard feature in cars, there was a backlash from people who said it would distract drivers and cause more accidents. That same outrage needs to be taking place now that instead of car radios, everyone has a smartphone and can’t drive to the grocery store without checking it. One thing I’ve thought about doing is putting my cell phone in my glove compartment and locking it (with a key) to make doubly sure I can’t access it.

What do you guys and gals recommend? What can we do to stop people from staring at their phones instead of the road ahead? Let me know on our Facebook page.