Category Archives: Maintenance and Service

Get Ready For High Temperatures!

Maintenance and Service

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!

Time To Replace Those Windshield Wipers

Maintenance and Service

With the threat of freezing behind us, it’s time to take stock of our vehicles and replace any worn parts that may have been damaged from the cold. The first one that came to my mind was your windshield wipers. Ice is tough on your wipers, ripping and tearing the rubber that is needed to make sure you can see where you’re going. We all do it, when we get out to our cars the morning after a freeze, we try to wipe away the ice with our wipers, We’ll turn the heater on and wait a few minutes, then try again. The jagged edges from partially melted snow and ice are what destroys those wipers.

I was out driving around last weekend and noticed that my wiper blade was so torn up that about an inch of the blade was no longer even attached to the wiper arm. I figured it was time to get a new set and bite the bullet.

Did you know that you can’t buy just the wiper blades anymore? You have to buy the entire unit, bracket and all. I came across a new product from Bosch called Icon. They are wiper blades that claim to last 40% longer than normal wiper blades. With that in mind, I bought a pair. These things are awesome. Not only are they contoured to fit firm against your windshield without the use of a metal frame with springs and arms, but they’re also designed to use the wind resistance to hold it firm against it.  I can go on and on about them but, I’d rather let the video do the talking.
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Don’t Get Stranded With A Dead Battery

Maintenance and Service, Uncategorized
Photo Courtesy of Moneycrashers.com

Your car battery generally lasts anywhere from 2 to 5 years, depending on the climate. Here in Texas, they last 2-4 since we have to deal with 110 degree summers. Truth be told, heat and vibration are a car battery’s worst enemies. Overcharging and undercharging, lack of regular maintenance and excessive current drain are also a battery’s silent killers. There’s a short list of things we can do to make sure we don’t get stuck with a battery that won’t turn the starter over.

Combine trips

If you travel less than 20 minutes a day, your alternator may not have enough time to charge the battery to capacity. At least 30 minutes gives it enough charging time to avoid undercharging, which gradually worsens your battery’s ability to hold a charge.

Avoid battery drain

Most vehicles nowadays cut off the electric supply when the key is off, but there are some out there that still provide power to the outlets. If you keep a phone charger plugged in, or you have a security light, it’s constantly getting power, and draining your battery and taking money out of your pocket. A little known fact about alternators is that they are designed to maintain a battery’s charge, not recharge it.

Avoid overcharging

Your alternator’s current is controlled by a voltage regulator or a computer control module, of one of them is faulty, your battery will suffer. Overcharging shortens a battery’s life by accelerating the aging process.

Avoid undercharging

Undercharging is the result of not charging your battery enough after being severely discharged. If you do end up with a dead battery, it should be charged using a bona fide battery charger.

Secure your battery

Vibration shortens your vehicle’s battery life. All cars nowadays use secure systems that hold it in place and minimize the vibrations that are transferred to your battery. If you aren’t tightening down your battery,  you’re running a risk of waking up to a dead battery.

It’s easy to forget about your battery, after all, if it’s not causing any problems, why worry about it? Keeping your battery maintained and checking to make sure it’s holding a charge will keep your battery in service as long possible and keep you on the road. Of course, if you have any questions about your battery, swing by and talk to some of our service guys.

 

 

Is It Time For A Wheel Alignment?

Maintenance and Service
Photo courtesy of chopperautomotive.com

You may not think of it very much when it’s not bothering you, but tire alignment is very important to the way your car runs and handles out on the road. Is your car veering to the left or right when you hold your steering wheel straight? Is there noticeable bouncing when you’re driving around town? Are your tires wearing unevenly? These are all signs of a car that could use some tender loving care in the form of a steering alignment. After all, if you’re wheels and tires aren’t pointing in the same direction, they’re working against each other. That means bad news for your wallet, and your car.

Common Signs of Needing a Tire Alignment

Uneven Tire Wear – If you have uneven wear on your tires, your tires may need to be rotated, but more than likely, a steering alignment will correct that.

Pulling To One Direction – When you are driving and your car drifts to one side when you’re holding the wheel straight, your wheels aren’t pointing in the direction they need to be. A tire alignment will solve that problem.

Shaking – Has your car been shaking while you’re driving down the road? That’s because your wheels are facing to separate directions. Even if it’s off a couple of degrees, it will cause your frame to shake and make your car harder to control.

Benefits of Getting A Tire Alignment

Rotating your tires – Keeping your tires rotated properly is a hallmark of getting the maximum miles out of them. With any tire alignment, the tires should be properly rotated to keep the wear even.

Better Handling – No more shaking and losing control of your steering wheel.

Better Gas Mileage – If all of your wheels are facing in the same direction, your engine works less to get it where it needs to go.

Savings In The Long Run – With your car running smoother, it will reduce the wear on all of the moveable parts, such as your shocks, and struts, steering column, and less wear on your tires.

Look out for the warning signs that you’re vehicle is our of alignment. Don’t hesitate to drop by our Service Department and have us check it for you.

 

Spring Cleaning Your Vehicle

Maintenance and Service
Photo Courtesy of CarCleaningGuru.com

Spring is almost here and that means sunny days, warmer weather and best of all, no more threats of ice and snow. Spring cleaning is a yearly occurrence in my house, I get the vacuum out, clean the bathroom, scrub the kitchen from top to bottom, even clean the windows. It does a world of good to start from scratch and actually see what my house looks like when it’s clean. The same goes for your car. We often forget about cleaning our cars since we’re only in it when we’re driving. For some people with long commutes, that’s quite a bit of time to be stuck in a dirty car, even if it’s just the Jack In The Box cup that’s been there for a few weeks. With the upcoming Spring right around the corner, I wanted to talk a little bit about some cleaning you should be doing to give you a fresh look at your car.

Vacuum the Inside

Most of us have a vacuum cleaner that uses attachments so you can reach under the seats and in between the cushions to get the last few months of Cheetos crumbs. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner that does, try one of the do-it-yourself car washes. They usually have a vacuum cleaner station that may cost you a couple of dollars. Vacuum the seats, carpet and the floor mats. If you have plastic or rubber floor mats, get a water hose after them, no one wants to keep stepping in the Coca-Cola you spilled back in November. You’d be amazed how much better your car’s interior looks (and smells) after you give the inside a little bit of TLC.

Clean that Glass

I have a tendency to rest my arm on the ledge where the door and the window meets, so I have smudge marks where my elbow rests. There’s also streak marks from a bug I killed a few months ago. Get a good glass cleaner such as Windex and get that dust, dirt and bug guts off of your windows and windshield. I use Rain-X on my windshield and it’s amazing how much easier it is to see during a downpour.

Wash the Exterior

Get a cleaner specially formulated for automotive finishes and maybe even a good wax to put on your vehicle’s exterior. Spend some time getting in all the nooks and crannies in the body. Clean off your wheels, scrub down your tire’s sidewalls, scrub the grill (those bugs are getting in the way of fresh air getting to your radiator). A good wax job will keep your car shiny for months and keep dirt from sticking to your paint.

You’d be amazed how different your car looks after you spend a couple of hours on it. Every time I walk out to my car after I’ve washed it, I say to myself, “That’s a good looking car.”

 

Happy New Year!

Just for Fun, Maintenance and Service

Hey guys and gals! I just wanted to say “Happy New Year!” Did you make any new year’s resolutions? Eating healthy? Working out? Losing weight? What about resolutions for your car? I’ve got a couple of ideas for mine!

1. Take a road trip!

When’s the last time you took a road trip for pleasure? Have you seen the Grand Canyon? South Padre during spring break? Your car is designed to take you places, use it!

2. Put the phone down.

In 2011, 23% of all accidents that happened involved cell phones. That’s a disturbing number and surely, within the past 2 years, that number has gone up. Make it a point to keep your phone in your pocket or in a place that is out of reach while you’re driving. Paying attention while you’re behind the wheel is the best possible thing you could do to avoid an accident.

3. Keep your car maintained.

Changing the fluids in your car and keeping it maintained is the key to getting the longest life possible out of your car. Is your car well-maintained enough to hit 300,000 miles? Get the full value of your car and start keeping a log book of the maintenance that has been performed to make sure you don’t miss a scheduled oil change or have to pay up for repairs that could have been avoided.

4. Get that headlight fixed!

There are plenty of cars out on the road that need a little TLC. A blown-out light bulb can get you a ticket, bald tires will stop you from getting your car inspected, a busted out window increases the chance of someone breaking into your car (again!).  If there’s only a handful of things stopping you from be safe on the road, get them fixed and let’s start off the new year as safely as possible.

What about you? What are your new year’s resolutions?

Fluid Replacement Guide

Maintenance and Service, , , , , , , , , ,

Our cars are machines. Those machines are dependent on the fluids we put in it. Oftentimes, we neglect to check or change fluids when needed. On average, our cars have 9 different types of fluid that is required for our cars to continue running at its optimal output. I’ve put together a handy guide as a reminder to check these fluids. These are all averages, not every car is the same, so be sure and check your owner’s manual for specifics regarding your vehicle. If you cannot find your owner’s manual, I have found a resource that will allow you to download it for free! So now you have no reason not to! 2 out of every 3 cars operate in “severe service” conditions that makes the fluids work harder than normal. Examples of severe service conditions include lots of short trips, stop-and-go driving, hauling heavy loads, operating in extreme temperatures (Yes, our Texas summers count as extreme), prolonged idling or driving in dusty conditions. These severe driving conditions make the need for checking our fluids more important than ever for getting the most out of your car.

Brake Fluid – 2 years or 30,000 miles
Clutch Hydraulic Oil – Check every 6 months
Differential/ Transaxle oil – 2 years or 30,000 miles
Distilled water for non-sealed battery – Check at every oil change
Extended life coolant – 4 years or 60,000 miles
Manual Transmission oil – Check annually
Motor oil – 3,000 to 7,500 miles
Power steering fluid – Check annually
Radiator coolant – 2 years or 30,000 miles
Transmission fluid – 30,000 to 60,000 miles
Washer fluid – Check monthly
Wheel bearing lubricant – 24,000 to 36,000 miles

10 Things You Should Know Before Bringing Your Car In For Repairs

Maintenance and Service

Having your car repaired is a stressful process. No one wants to admit that their car needs to be repaired, costing money that they never intended on spending. Accidents happen, we are all aware of that fact. Freeman Grapevine strives to maintain a level of excellence with all of our customers, previous and future. As a member of the business community, we subscribe to a Code of Ethics, our pledge to you of honesty, safety, and integrity. If you have any questions during the estimating or repair process, don’t hesitate to contact me or anyone else who is on duty and we can answer your questions or guide you in the right direction. With that being said, here are the ten things to keep in mind when bringing your car in for repairs.

1. Your vehicle is a major investment, preserve its value by having it repaired by certified professionals.

2. Some insurance companies will want you to visit their drive-in claims center before having your car repaired. You can do this, or you may leave your car at our shop and ask that the insurance company inspect the car here.

3. Never drive a car that is unsafe due to damages or repairs that need to be made.

4. Contrary to popular belief, there is no law requiring you to obtain more than one appraisal or estimate.

5. You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot require you to go to a particular shop.

6. Choose a shop that has certified ASE  certified technicians.

7. Differences in repair quotes are common. A lower estimate may not include all necessary work. If you’re not sure why one estimate is different from another, please ask us.

8. Ask if the shop will be using genuine manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts.

9. Ask if the shop offers a repair warranty.

10. Let us help you negotiate your claim with the insurance company.

 

When Should I Replace My Windshield Wipers?

Maintenance and Service, ,
Windshield wipers increase your visibility during a rainstorm.

One of the most important factors of safe driving is your visibility. If your vision is obstructed in any way, you are putting yourself, your passengers and other people on the road at risk. Driving in the rain or snow is a risky proposition to begin with, but having worn wiper blades makes it even worse. Your windshield wipers are very possibly the most important feature on your car when there’s a downpour. If they aren’t performing at the highest efficiency, then you can’t see the things that you need to see. Ninety percent of the decisions you make while driving, rely on your ability to see clearly. During a rainstorm, your car is being bombarded with rain in multiple instances, from the sky, from the ground, and from other cars.

Most experts say that you should replace your wipers every 6 to 12 months, but with our harsh Texas summers, I’d keep it closer to every 6 months. During the months of July and August, when the heat is bearing down on us, it’s warping and cracking the rubber of your wipers, making them less and less effective. Even our yearly freeze takes its toll on them too. When you use the wipers as ice removers, you tear and disfigure them and they no longer make full contact with the windshield.

Replacing your wipers is a simple and fairly cost-effective fix. A pair of replacement blades will generally run you $15-40. The name-brand, high-quality blades, or odd sizes, may run a bit higher. If you must drive when it’s pouring outside, then a functioning set of wiper blades is well worth the money you spend to help you see better.

Giving a Dead Battery a Jump

Maintenance and Service, ,

It’s a common problem, I’ve done it more than a few times. I’ve left my headlights on, my interior light, too. I’ve even shut my car door, thinking I closed it, but in fact, it never closed completely. Most new cars have a way of shutting them off after a period of time, but older cars just arent’t that advanced. What happens when you get in the car first thing in the morning and you reach in a turn the key? Nothing. Nothing at all. That’s when you have to ask your neighbor for a jump.

It’s scary how much I see people jumping cars incorrectly. It may seem like an easy thing to do, but it can be done wrong, and in some instances, it can cause damage to your car and even harm you. Here are a few points to consider next time you find yourself helping a neighbor or asking for help with a dead battery yourself.

1. Make sure the 2 vehicles are not touching. If they are, then you could create a current that could run through the car and damage the electrical system.

2. Turn the car giving the jump completely off. (The car needing the jump should already be off.)

3. Connect the red (positive) cable to the good battery’s positive terminal, then connect the red (positive) cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal using the same cable.

4. Connect the negative (ground) cable to the good battery’s ground terminal, then connect the negative (ground) cable to a solid ground (unpainted frame member or engine bracket) on the other car. Do not connect the negative terminal on the good battery to the negative terminal on the dead battery! Doing so will cause a spark and could ignite the battery. Connecting the cable away from the battery minimizes that risk.

5. Make double sure that the cable ends to not touch each other and the cables are not in the way of any moving parts or pulleys on the engine.

6. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine at a fast idle for several minutes before attempting to start the vehicle with the dead battery. This will allow the good battery to pump more juice into the dead battery without causing a severe drain on it.

7. Start the vehicle with the dead battery. Once the vehicle has been started, carefully remove the jumper cables, keeping the metal ends away from each other until all 4 clamps have been successfully removed.

8. Drive the vehicle with the low battery for at least 30 minutes to recharge your battery. Driving time may need to be increased if your battery is close to the end of its life cycle.

There you have it! The safest way to jump a dead battery. Of course, you can always eliminate the need for a neighbor or a friend to jump your battery, there are numerous battery packs out there for a reasonable cost that you can keep in your trunk and use only when necessary. If your battery is kaput and can’t be jumped then hitch a ride over here and let us get you a new one!