In the colder months pests such as rats, raccoons and even insects may look to make a home in your car.  To keep pests out the best thing is to use preventative measures such as not leaving food or drinks in the car, not parking under trees or on dirt and not transporting plants in your car.  Pests are sometimes present because of environmental conditions such as storing pet food in your garage or with colder weather the warmth of your engine.

If you find your vehicle is occupied by something other than you or your intended passengers, here are some tips on what to do:

Give the vehicle a thorough look inside and out to determine what type of bug you are dealing with.  You should also check out the areas where your vehicle is regularly parked. This could be both at home or at work, there will most likely be a larger infestation of whatever you’re dealing within very close proximity.

Ants
Put a few drops of peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball and place the cotton wherever you have an infestation.  Essential oils can be dangerous when misused, be cautious if you are pregnant or have small children.  You can also try Ant Traps such as Hot Shot Max Attraxs Ant Traps.  These premade ant traps are great because they are discreet and child proof. They would work perfectly for slipping under the seat of your vehicle or placing in the corner of your trunk. The poison starts working immediately and the traps can last for up to six months.

Roaches
Try Trapper Max Glue Traps.  It is a natural and toxin free way of trapping pests. The trap is rectangular and measure 4.5” x 6.5” which makes it a great size for just about any spot in your vehicle.  Traps should be placed beneath the floorboards of your car if accessible, beneath seats, in the corners of the trunk and in the boot

Wasps and Bees
If possible, try to find a beekeeper to come and remove the bees from your car and safely relocate them to a proper home. It is inadvisable to kill bees as they are currently endangered, and a lot of our food supply depends on them. With wasps, hire a professional exterminator if at all possible. Wasps are highly motivated to protect their nest and they do not die like bees do after a sting.

Rats, Mice, and Rodents
Use Western Red Cedar shavings around where the vehicle is parked. These wood shavings contain phenols which kill rodents, though most will hit the road before they come close to dying.  You can also use ultrasonic rodent deterrents or rodent traps.

What To Do If There Is A Bug Or Rodent In Your Car While Driving
Bug related car accidents cause over 650,000 crashes every year! Stay calm. Pull over to the side of the road or a parking lot if it is safe to do so and get out of the car. Open your windows and doors and shoo the pest out of the car. If you have a spider, use a paper document to remove.

There is nothing like the feeling of being with family and friends during Thanksgiving.  Getting together after being apart for a long time is truly a joyous occasion.  Traveling during a holiday can often times be stressful.   The below tips will help to make sure you are prepared for your road trip and can enjoy this special time of year.

Prep Your Car

Before you hit the road for any long trip, you want to make sure your vehicle is in good working condition.  You will also want to make sure that your spare tire is properly inflated and that the jack and tools you may need are there if you have a flat tire on the vehicle.  Check to make sure your windshield wiper blades are properly functioning so that if you encounter rain, you will be able to drive safely.  We offer our Cruising with Confidence 53 Vehicle Inspection that will cover all this and more.  You should also have your oil changed (unless you have done so recently), top off all your fluids, and rotate your tires so you’re road-ready.  Checking your cabin air filter should also be done to make sure the air in your car is clean.  If your family is blessed with little ones you will also want to make sure your car seats are properly installed.  If you are not sure how to install a car seat, come by the shop and we will be happy to check that for you. 

Leave Early to Beat Traffic 

Traffic will be heaviest the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the entire weekend after.  If you can, try to leave earlier in the week and return after the weekend to beat the travel rush.  If that is not possible, leaving early in the morning is the next best thing.  Map your route and research alternate routes in case of accidents and road closures.  Make sure to check the weather forecast before you leave, especially if you will be traveling in a mountain region.  Weather in the mountains can be very unpredictable, you should be prepared for any inclement weather including chains.  If your trip will be a long one, plan your stops before you leave so you know when and where you will be stopping along the way. 

Pack Snacks

Make your trip a little easier by packing some snacks that are easy to eat in the car such as trail mix, small fruit, crackers, protein bars and cut veggies. Staying hydrated while you’re on the road is important as well.  Make sure you pack plenty of water. 

Pack Your Entertainment

Start prepping your entertainment for when your plans are finalized. Whether you’re spending 20 minutes or 20 hours in the car, you can still have a good time with it if you have the right entertainment. Fill a bag with your favorite games and books and update your music playlist with your favorite tunes. If you forget your entertainment at home, or don’t have room in your car for an extra bag you can always enjoy a good old-fashioned game of I Spy, the License Plate Game, or Name the Artist to pass the time.

Emergency Kit

If your vehicle doesn’t have an emergency kit, now is the time to purchase one for your vehicle. A good emergency kit has blankets, road flares, a basic first aid kit, bottles of water, a flashlight, batteries and some non-perishable items. Make sure your vehicle is stocked with the necessities that may come in handy during an emergency. It’s not always fun to plan for the unexpected, but if something does happen, you’ll be happy you were prepared.

Don’t Forget to Move

Long hours behind the wheel can take its toll on your body, especially if you don’t take time to stop and stretch periodically. It can be tempting to make good time and drive straight to your destination, but try to refrain. If you remembered to plan your route to include stops, make sure you take frequent breaks to move about and keep blood circulating, which can keep you awake and focused.  If you are traveling with pets they will need to get out and stretch or relieve themselves too.   Familiarize yourself with rest stops that have pet areas on your route.

With the price of gas soaring, it is important to make every gallon of gas last as long as possible.  Here are some tips to help you stretch your gas dollar.

1. Drive Smart

Speeding, braking, and rapid acceleration waste gas so does driving above 50 miles per hour.  Driving sensibly and not like a race car driver can significantly decrease the amount of fuel that you use.

2. Check the Tires

Tires can lose about 2 pounds per square inch (psi) per month on average.  When the temperature drops outside the air pressure in your tires will drop with it.   Each tire that is under inflated by 10 psi reduces fuel economy by about 3.3%. Four tires that are under inflated by 10 psi, then, would reduce a vehicle's fuel economy by a substantial 10%.   Tires that are not aligned properly create drag instead of rolling freely. This can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 10%.  In addition, the tires will wear out more quickly.  Tires that are out of balance can also cause tire wear which will result in lower gas mileage as well.  Tires should be balanced and rotated according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

3. Maintain your Fuel System 

Fill Your Tank Early in the Morning or Late at Night

Fuel is dispensed by volume. If you fill your tank when it is coolest outside—early in the morning or late at night and avoid the heat of the day—the fuel will be denser. As a result, you will get more gas for the same amount of money.  

Replace your Air Filter

Your engine sucks in 14 million gallons of air through the filter every year. On older vehicles (pre-1999) a dirty air filter increases fuel usage by almost 10 percent ($350 per year, or 35¢ per gallon). On newer vehicles, the computer is smart enough to detect the lower airflow, and it cuts back on fuel. So your engine will lack power and pick-up. Check the filter when you change your oil and replace it at least once a year, or more if you drive in dirty, dusty conditions.

Clean your Fuel System

Over time debris and carbon can build up in your fuel injection system and clog or restrict fuel distribution. If you notice a rough feel when the vehicle is idling, decreased gas mileage, or poor performance it may be a sign that your injectors need to be cleaned.

We are happy to check your vehicle to make sure that you are getting the best mileage possible.  Schedule your appointment today to start saving at the pump as soon as possible!

October is National Car Care Month

As Fall approaches and the promise of winter nears it is important to make sure that your vehicle is ready to carry you safely to your holiday destinations.  A few simple checks beforehand can ensure your safe travels.

Heating, Wipers & Lights

Test your heater, defroster and windshield wipers to make sure they work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold-weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.

Check to see that all exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.  One way to tell if headlights are correctly aimed is to park the vehicle on a level surface and shine the headlights on a garage door or wall 25 feet ahead (some cars may require a different distance). The top of the low beam shining on the wall should be at or slightly below the height of the center of the headlight lens for most vehicles. You should expect the light pattern to be higher on the right side (passenger side) to illuminate road signs and lower on the driver’s side to prevent blinding other drivers. This should give you a good idea of whether the beams on both sides are aimed correctly.  Another method is to pull the vehicle within 5 feet of the wall and then use masking tape to mark the vertical and horizontal centers of the light beams on the wall. Move the vehicle back 25 feet. With the aid of the tape line, the light beams should be roughly the same height vertically and horizontally.

Tires

Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure of all tires, including the spare. Put a penny in your tire tread grooves with the top of Abe’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, that tire is spent and needs to be replaced. Honestly.  During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.  Tire inflation levels are measured in psi (pounds per square inch). Because air pressure can decrease up to 10 psi a month just through every day driving and may potentially drop 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit temperature drop, it’s important to ready your ride.  When tire tread is reduced or your tire pressure is not correct, your vehicle is at greater risk of hydroplaning.  If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads.

Wheel Alignment

The most common signs of misalignment are pulling to one side while you're driving, unusual tire wear and/or a steering wheel that's off-center even though your vehicle is pointed straight.  Even the slightest misalignment from hitting potholes and normal wear and tear can lead to premature tire wear – even if your car’s alignment is off by 100th of a degree or inch. When this happens, it can lead to further misalignment and the need to replace your tires sooner than you hoped.

Brakes

Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.  Bad sounds can be signs that your brakes need work. When you push down the brake pedal, do you hear screeching, grinding, rubbing or squealing? These sounds may mean your brake pads need work or your rotors need replacing.  Another sign something is wrong- when you step on the brake pedal and the car doesn’t stop!  Don’t let it get to that point!!!

Gas, Oil & Filters

Keep your gas tank at least half full throughout the cold weather to prevent moisture from forming in gas lines and possibly freezing.

Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter.  The “W” in your type of oil stands for “winter.” And the number before the “W” (i.e. SAE 5W30) lets you know how easily this oil will pump at low temperatures. 0W is for very low temperatures, and higher numbers like 10W are designed for milder winter weather. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate.

Check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

System Checks – Charging, Cooling & Exhaust

Have the battery and charging system checked, as cold weather is hard on batteries.

Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.

Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

Pack the Essentials

Your vehicle should always have an emergency kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, extra clothes, bottled water, nonperishable food and a first aid kit with any needed medication.

With all the recent wildfires in our area, your car’s cabin air filter and engine air filter should be inspected to ensure they are providing maximum protection from smoke and debris.

The cabin air filter cleans the air coming into the passenger compartment.  The cabin air filter typically  traps pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, compromising interior air quality and damaging the system. The filter also prevents leaves, bugs and other debris from entering the HVAC system, which could also cause problems.  Heavy airborne contaminants, such as soot, smoke and debris from wildfires can pollute cabin air filters quickly compromising the integrity of the air in the passenger compartment.

The engine air filter traps dirt particles, soot and ash, which can cause costly engine damage. They also play a critical role in keeping smoke and debris from contaminating the airflow sensor on fuel-injected cars.  With all the particulate matter in the air due to the wildfires, your engine air filter may not be doing its job.

You can bring your vehicle by our shop for a complimentary cabin and engine air filter inspection to make sure you and your vehicle are breathing safe air.