All posts by Ozzie

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.

Arbor Daze, This Weekend!

April 21, 2014UncategorizedOzzie

It’s festival season, now that the fear of freezing temperatures is out of the way. One that I always like to go to is Arbor Daze, down in Euless, not too far from Freeman Grapevine. It takes place this weekend, April 26-27 at Euless City Hall, 201 N Ector Dr, Euless, Texas, 76039.

Every year they pay tribute to the nature-centric holiday, Arbor Day, with free trees for every attendee. With many cities in the metroplex cutting down trees to make way for construction and development, Euless plants a tree for each and every person who enters the gate at Arbor Daze.

There’s plenty of fun to be had for you and your kids, as well. Arts and crafts tents, an Arbor Dazzling Kidz Zone (with face painting, carnival games and prizes), and Forestry Village are all geared towards entertaining your little ones. Music and dance acts are also planned. Acts include Crossing Main, Escape, Eddie Coker and Ka Pa Hula O Manulani. Stop by the Tongan Cultural Tent and enjoy authentic Tongan dancing and singing along with education about their culture.

My favorite thing to do when I’m at a festival is sample the food! I don’t know about you but I’m heading straight for the Best Bayou Bites tent. Gator balls, po’ boys, jambalaya, and gumbo. I want to try them all. There’s also a Polynesian tent, and a BBQ tent from North Main BBQ, plus tons of others. If you don’t have plans on buying a new or used car from me this weekend, definitely stop by Arbor Daze.

Ozzie’s Q & A: Shocks and Struts

April 14, 2014Maintenance and Service, Parts and AccessoriesOzzie

Hey guys and gals! I wanted to put together a compilation of some questions I get asked a lot. Working for a GMC/Buick car dealer for many years, I’ve learned quite a bit. So here’s a few questions I get asked on a pretty regular basis.

What’s the difference between a shock and a strut?

Both of them perform the same function, making your ride smoother, but struts are a little more complicated, therefore, more expensive, too. Struts are an essential component of your steering system as well as supporting a great deal of your vehicle’s weight. Some cars use struts, some use shocks, some use both!

When should I replace my shocks and struts?

If you purchase a cheaper set shocks or struts, they generally last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on how crazy of a driver you are. Higher quality shocks and struts are known to last from 50,000 miles up to 100,000!

How do I know when I need to replace my shocks/struts?

You may never notice a change in your car’s handling since it is a gradual decline. Have you ever seen a car driving down the road that hit a speed bump and bounced 3-4 times before finally evening out? More than likely, the driver has no idea that’s happening because it’s been such a gradual process, to them, their car drives like it always has. Excessive bouncing, leaning, swaying, vibrations, and scuffed areas on your tire threads are all good indicators of needing your shocks/struts replaced. Of course, we can always do that for you!

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.

Get Ready For High Temperatures!

March 31, 2014Maintenance and ServiceOzzie

Spring is finally here! This past weekend was one of the best weekends, weather-wise, for getting outside. It was about 80 degrees on Saturday and about 75 on Sunday. Plenty of sunshine, people out walking their dogs, washing their cars and grilling out. I dare say, it was the most enjoyable weekend of the year so far. Enjoy it while it lasts, because that just means that summer is right around the corner and from what I’ve heard, it’s going to be a brutal one. I fully expect 90 days straight of 100+ temperatures. Since most of us have normal 9-5 jobs, that means we get to head out to our cars at the heat of the day and sit in a sauna-like car and sweat until we can get our air conditioners to cool it down to a bearable degree. More than once, I’ve used my shirt to open the door because I didn’t want to touch the handle of my car to get inside.

With that being said, that means it’s time to get your air conditioner checked out to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible so it can keep you cool and sweat-free during the scorching summer months. Even if it’s just a freon bump, it could mean the difference between staying cool on your drive home and being miserable while sitting in a puddle of sweat. If you’re driving a luxury vehicle, like one of our Buicks or GMCs, then you’ve got a world of pain waiting for you when you get in thanks to the leather seats. That’s why I’ve made an investment in a sun shade to put in the windshield. It may not reduce the inside temperature to a noticeable degree, but it does keep the sun off of my seats and dashboard to avoid cracking from the sun’s rays.

Come by and let us check your car’s air conditioner to make sure it can keep you cool this summer!

Scammers Are On The Prowl

March 25, 2014Tips and HIntsOzzie

I hear about more often than I care to admit. People find a great car (or so they think) on Craigslist and they end up losing tons of money. It’s so easy to create a used car listing on the popular site and generate some interest in a used car that doesn’t really exist. Nowadays, scammers are taking advantage of the older generation by touting classic cars and super low prices for them. Here’s a few tips on how to avoid falling victim to a scammer.

Double Check All References

A scammer will give you information that you can’t verify. Be sure to get good information regarding addresses, phone number, and references.

Don’t Buy Anything Until You See The Car

Sure, the seller may send you tons of pictures, but until you can verify that the car is actually in his possession and has the right to sell it, then be cautious of anyone giving a deal that’s too good to be true.

Beware the Reasons

When you contact a seller and they are trying to get rid of a car because they are moving overseas or some place where they can’t take the car, due to registration or transport issues, be wary of this seller. This is a common tactic to try to get potential buyers to commit to purchasing said vehicle in a hurry, without actually verifying the validity of the sale.

Never Wire Transfer or Escrow

Wire transfers and escrow services are the most common way thieves use to collect money. If they require you to use either of those services, hang up the phone and don’t look back. Those services are used because there is little recourse when you find out you have been scammed. Once it’s gone, it’s extremely hard to get back, if at all.

Do you know of anyone who has been scammed on Craiglist or any other selling website?