All posts by Ozzie

Driving your car in Fort Worth’s high winds

Safe Driving, , , , , , , , , ,

Living in Texas, Freeman Grapevine is well aware of how the winds can suddenly pick up in our less populated areas. Expect it to happen even more as the weather changes from cold to warm. This temperature shift can cause high winds that can literally sweep across the country.  While you may look outside and see a bright and sunny day, that doesn’t mean that driving conditions can be severe.  A common problem of driving during high winds is that most drivers don’t take the same precautions they would during rain, snow, or fog because you cannot see the windy conditions.

I’m sure you have felt it in your car before.  You are driving at speed and suddenly you feel your vehicle being pushed into another lane from a strong wind gust.  During sever high winds, it may seem as though you are moving your steering wheel from one side to the other as though driving in a mini slalom course.  So what should you do when driving in high winds?

Wind can create difficulties for drivers of all vehicles. High winds are especially challenging for trucks, RVs and trailers, but they also affect cars and, not surprisingly, SUVs as well. When you experience high winds:

  • Reduce your speed
  • Be careful when driving close to trucks, buses and other large vehicles
  • Pay attention to travel warnings and bans; some states restrict the use of certain vehicles when winds are high
  • Take great care making steering corrections when going from protected to open areas.

Please keep these tips in mind when driving during windy conditions.  Just because you can’t see it, winds can still wreak havoc on  your car.  Have you ever had any problems with driving during high winds? The picture above is pretty telling in regards to how furious straight line winds can become.

Feel free to share your driving stories, or any scary encounter you may have had with unexpected wind or weather in our comments section. Or, just stop by Freeman Grapevine and tell us about it!

How do you know what used Car to buy

Used Cars, , , , , , , , , ,

dallas fort worth used car, dallas Buick Dealer, Dallas GMC Dealer, dallas GMC Truck, dallas new car, dallas Used Car, dallas Used Truck, dfw driving, GMC Dealer, GMC Truck, new carHere at Freeman Grapevine our used car selection is growing larger by the day. Why is that? Well, it’s a direct result of today’s modern lease programs and the rate at which people are turning over their cars for the latest models or style. The good news for you is that the chances of you falling into a really great used car are pretty good…that’s if you know what to look for. I found a good video that demonstrates 5 easy ways to judge the condition of the used car you are looking to buy.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szPE_YCjc6g

Keep in mind that if you are purchasing the car from Freeman Grapevine we will have already given it a multi-point inspection and give you a CarFax report on the history of the vehicle.

Remember, there are some very good things about buying a used vehicle, namely you can get more car for your money. Besides, does it really matter if it’s used? It’s new to you!

Does anyone have any suggestions on buying a used car?

How To Keep Your Kids Entertained and Keep Your Sanity

Just for Fun, Tips and HInts, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The summer is upon us and so are road trips.  While vacations are fun, getting to your destination may not always be enjoyable.  Whether you are going near or far  you will most likely hear, “Are we there yet?”  Luckily, I know a few ways to keep the kids entertained.

  • Movies!  If your Buick/GMC didn’t come with an in-car entertainment system, invest in a portable DVD player and few pairs of headphones.  The kids will love watching their favorite movie for a few hours and you will love the silence from the backseat!
  • Hit the library up before you go.  For a free mode of entertainment take your kids to the library the day before you leave and let them pick out a few books to bring on the trip.
  • Have an in-car scavenger hunt.  Make the kids a list of things to look for as you drive.  Examples: a red car, a license plate from another state, a horse, a pink flower, anything you might see as you drive.
  • Pack trivia cards. Each kid can take turns reading a card and guessing the answer.
  • Always pack music.  Even though the Barney sing-a-long may not be your favorite music, let the kids have 20 or 30 minutes of their favorite music.
  • Zitch-dog!  Every time someone sees a dog they yell zitch-dog! The person who sees the most dogs first wins a prize at the end of the trip.

Do you have any other suggestions for keeping kids entertained?

Proper Spare Tire Maintenance

Maintenance and Service, , ,

What’s the one thing that you really take for granted in regards to your car? Your A/C? The heated leather seats? How about the spare tire?

Freeman Grapevine wants to remind you that proper attention given to your spare tire will certainly pay off. Come on, this is Dallas Fort Worth, it’s like the road debris capital of the world here.

If you think that checking the air pressure in your spare might seem like common sense, you’d be surprised. For many people, it’s out of sight are also out of mind. Getting a flat is bad enough. Actually having a spare that is too under-inflated, well that will just ruin your day.

Many new cars have an on-board monitoring system that alerts you if your spare needs air. Pay attention to the warning or you will be paying for a tow truck.

Honestly, you should already know how to do this, but below is a brief video video on how to remove your spare. In fact, your spare might be even easier to access, as it might be contained in a compartment under your cargo space floor.

Check your spare tire monthly and start making that a habit. Remember, having a properly maintained spare tire, doesn’t mean doubling your waist size, but being a little more vigilant in regards to keeping your spare in good shape.

What Do You Do When The Check Engine Light Comes On?

GMC, , , ,

There is no doubt that if you are a car owner this has happened to you. The “check engine” light all of a sudden pops on. Why is it on in the first place? Your car seems to be performing fairly well and there’s nothing you can tell that is wrong. Well that check engine light is anything but just a pretty light, it can actually be a serious warning  That light is connected to many different alerts in your engine and your electrical system. Ignoring it could prove for some costly repairs. It might be something as simple as an a faulty gas cap or under-pressured spare, or as serious as an internal engine issue. You just don’t know and should have it checked out by your GM Mechanic as soon as you can.

I found this report that goes into further detail about why your check engine light may be on.

If your check engine light is on, the best and most prudent thing to do is to bring it into Freeman Grapevine so we can take a look at it and repair any issues you may be having. Remember, failing to properly maintain your Buick or GMC can result in some expensive repairs. Warning lights are there for a reason so don’t just ignore them, bring your car into a certified GM repair shop and get that problem fixed.

The Importance Of Your Engine’s Cooling System

Maintenance and Service, , , , , ,

The engine cooling system is one of the most critical elements of engine performance and reliability but is often the most neglected maintenance item for all vehicles on the road today. Common, at home, flush procedures are not enough to remove the amount of contaminants present in neglected vehicles. There is a pretty good possibility that you don’t have the proper equipment to complete a really good contamination flush. Bring it to Freeman Grapevine for a power clean flush which is similar to the video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVWznOl-WZw

Doing a thorough power clean will not only increase engine cooling efficiency, but it will also help protect the life of the water pump. Remember, your at home flush probably just isn’t going to be enough to remove a majority of the contaminates. Get your fluids flushed right here at Freemen Grapevine.

Everyone Needs A Battery Charger

Just for Fun, , , , , , , , ,

Just because you have a dead battery, doesn’t mean you can’t get a few thousand more miles out of it. If you’ve never recharged your battery, then you’ve been throwing away money too soon. A battery drains for a myriad of reasons, including our own clumsiness (leaving lights on).  As we all can imagine, a dead battery on a cold day in not a fun thing to have, but with a decent battery charger, you can give a little extra life back to that “dead” battery.

How does a charger work? Check out the video.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEPuO8kZVE8&feature=player_embedded

How easy is it to use? This easy.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oSuz0T51Fs&feature=player_embedded

Now, you can’t recharge a battery an unlimited time. This is an indicator that you will eventually have to replace your battery. A battery charge cannot change the inevitable, just delay it for a while.

Bad Battery, or battery issues? I’d advise you take your car to your mechanic if your battery issues become problematic.

The Proper Way To Handle A Police Stop If You Have A Concealed Handgun License

Uncategorized, , , , ,

In Texas, we have the right to carry firearms concealed on our person with the proper concealed handgun license. If this applies to you, you are fully aware of your responsibility as a gun owner to alert the officer as soon as he makes verbal contact with you. This is for both your safety and the officer’s. I can tell you that if you are upfront, your simple moving violation will be far less complicated if you immediately tell the officer that your are licensed and that your are carrying.

Believe it, not I know many officers who respect an individual’s right to protect themselves and are, in fact, for lack of a better word, grateful that the citizen has taken some responsibility for his own safety. After all, the police only show up after a crime has been committed.

So what is the right procedure? You should have already learned this in your CHL class, but here is a reminder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUhJFhMKmko

Of course, this scenario was set up to show you what can occur when you are pulled over and engage with the attending officer in regards to your firearm. Tell them you have it immediately! Chances are, they will be much more respectful of you and ease any additional tension the officer may have at the beginning of the stop.

Just a friendly reminder brought to you by Freeman Grapevine.

Never Get In Another Fender Bender Again

Just for Fun, , , , , , , ,

Never get into another fender bender again! I mean it, you can virtually avoid road accidents by following 3 simple thoughts while you drive: Be Observant, Be Predictive, Be Reactionary.

Something I don’t think drivers put much thought into is understanding hazards actually happen. Have you ever dissected a driving hazard or a near-miss accident?. Can you observe, predict, and react in time enough to possibly avoid an accident altogether? You’ll notice that driving is a very active function and yet many of us seem to approach it like we’re headed out fro a drive in our lazy-boy.

Now this video was for examination purposes in Britain, but it bring up some very good points of note. Primarily the one we forget is the one we should remember the most and that is that driving is a very active thing to do. It’s not time to make phone calls, or text. Heck, it’s not even the time to relax! You should be observant, predictive and reactionary every time your get behind the wheel of your Buick or GMC.

How To Climb A Hill In The Snow

Just for Fun, , , , ,

It doesn’t snow here very often. In fact, this last Christmas was the first white Christmas since 1975 I think. However, here in North Texas, we do get hit with snow from time to time and that snowfall pretty much paralyzes the DFW area. So, do you know how to climb a hill in the snow in your Buick or GMC?

I was talking to a friend who had a real problem getting out of his driveway on Christmas Day due to the snow (ice is a completely different problem). His driveway is a moderate incline which is generally easy to negotiate, however, when you dump a little bit of snow on it, getting out can be a real task.

However, there is a trick from climbing hills in the snow. This trick is primarily for front whee cars as the physics of the vehicle require the tires to pull the car up a hill, and therein lies the trick…turn your front wheel drive Buick or GMC into a rear wheel drive car, truck or SUV by climbing the hill in reverse. Check out the video below so see an example of what I’m talking about.

By going up a snowy hill in reverse, you essentially are moving all of the weight of the car, including the engine, over the front drive tires effectively turning it into a pseudo-rear wheel drive vehicle by going in reverse.

Now, this is just a little tip from Freeman Grapevine. If you can avoid driving in the snow altogether, then that would be ideal. However, if you have to climb a hill in the snow to get to work, or for emergency reasons, try going in reverse. It’s a secret maneuver not many Texans know about.