Wiper Blades: Going Unnoticed Until It's Too Late!

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Technician

When it comes to driving, there are few things more important than visibility, and dull, cracked or bent wiper blades can mean the difference between a clear view and no view. With the snow season upon us wipers can really be abused. However, with proper care and maintenance your wipers can last several years. I’m here to show you how to do just that.

First things first: always turn your wipers off when you turn your car off. Not only does this help cold weather starting, but if they do freeze to the windshield overnight it can prevent many issues. For example, when the wiper blade motor is trying to work and the blades are stuck you can create extreme stress on the motor. Many have plastic gears inside that can easily strip out. Also many wiper arms are made out of soft aluminum. If the blades don’t move and the motor does you can run the risk of ruining both wiper arms, with costly repairs.

Secondly, when scraping your windshield you will want to lift your wipers off the windshield (carefully). If they do not come off right away continue scraping until the defrost kicks in more. Tearing them off when they are frozen runs the risk of tearing the blade from the frame and basically ruining your blade. Some customers have told me that they are using an anti-ice spray to melt away the ice formations. This is also a good way to help speed the process up (ITS COLD!). NEVER, ever, ever use hot water, coffee, tea, etc. on your windshield, you run the risk of cracking it beyond repair. So for those of you who like to take shortcuts in the morning, resist the temptation to use your hot coffee as a defroster!

Thirdly, clean your blades often. Rubbing alcohol on the blade surfaces applied with a cotton cloth or tissue works wonders. This eliminates any grime that may have built up. Also eliminating the ice will help improve visibility. With these easy steps you can have wiper blades that will last for seasons to come. In fact, my wife is on her fourth season on her blades, which we bought the first week we got the car. Oh and don’t forget about the washer fluid! BTW if your low stop by cars for keeps and we will top it off for you (free)! Until next time!

Thanks for the reminder and the great tips, Robert. I myself have not been taking care of my wiper blades this winter, and as a result I got stuck on the freeway with only a tiny patch on my windshield to see through. Drive safe!

Washing Away the Salt: A Michigan Winter Car Maintenance Essential

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

We've covered just about every aspect of effectively preparing your vehicle into reliable winter-weather transportation. But now that winter is here, what can we do to make sure our vehicles stay reliable and healthy?

For car owners, Michigan winter roads are not only infamous for black ice and snow drifts; they're also infamous for that special anti-ice additive: salt. It's the main reason that car owners living in "the car manufacturing state" have one of the poorest returns on their vehicles in the nation. The natural process of oxidation that happens over time to the steel components of your car are rapidly accelerated by salt, turning our beautiful, locally-manufactured vehicles into virtual rust buckets overnight.

You can read more about exactly why salt + the underside of your car = rust that would make Red Green proud, but understanding why this happens doesn't help us maintain healthy, rust-free cars. There's really only one solution to the problem of winter salt: go to the car wash frequently. Some of your car's most vulnerable metal parts and components are underneath your car, completely exposed to the road's salt spray, so be sure to include undercarriage washes each time you visit the car wash this winter.

Interior salt can erode from the inside as well - in addition to making car interiors dirty. Here's a brief YouTube clip with some tips on getting out those winter salt stains (I'll give you a hint: it involves vinegar, water and elbow grease!).

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by, and safe driving!

A Women’s Point of View: Shoes for Cars

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

We finally had our first snowfall. How do you all feel about that? I will remain (yuck) neutral (ugh) about the subject. Anyway, one of the special things we all get to think about in the winter is, “How are the tires on my car?”

Now if you spent last summer “sandblasting” on the beach and did not get stuck, sunk or shucked*, you are probably okay for the snow this winter. However, most of us in the real world consider carefully our high expectations of safety and comfort and dependability for our cars in dangerous driving conditions. Tires. There are three facts that we can’t escape. Every car has to have them. They are not cheap. And, very few of us know which ones to get for our car. At Cars For Keeps you can be sure of three things.

Every car has to have tires. Dennis, our service manager, will get the best price that he can find for you. Yes, he price shops. And, he is knowledgeable about which tires are best for your car. Your safety is our main concern. Have you ever wondered why tires are always black?

Let us look at this area of concern for women by comparing tires to shoes. Are they always dressed for dinner? Black is beautiful, but sometimes you just need pink. Wouldn’t red and white strips be eye-catching? Or perhaps purple polka dots on a yellow background? Or…............. Neon!

*Shucked is the term used when you get your car stuck up to it’s (ummm)……trunk, and the tires are spinning out of control, and you had to crawl out the window because the door won’t open and it is sinking like a stone in quicksand and you are standing beside the car saying, “Aw, Shucks”.

Thanks, Colette. I enjoyed my 30 mile commute in the blizzard belt as well. It wasn't as much "fun" (no white knuckles) because I had snow tires. Stay warm, everybody!

3 Ways to Prevent Winter Driving Emergnecies

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Mechanic

Winter time is coming sooner than you may think. That means salty slushy roads, ice on the windshield and brrrrrr…freezing temps. What can you do to ensure a safe and reliable vehicle during these harsh wintry months?

Have your vehicle inspected by a licensed mechanic. Quick lube places do not count. Although they are able to check basic things like your fluids and battery, they are not able to check more important things such as your suspension components and reliability items. Also, those techs are NOT required to be state or ASE certified to work on vehicles. So you may not get an adequately qualified tech working on your vehicle.

Maintain your tires. The tires are the ONLY thing between you and the road. Are your tires worn to the wear bars? Not only is it unsafe for you but could also be unsafe for other drivers on the road. Maintaining air pressure also ensures that your tires are working as they were designed. Speaking of tires, do you have a set of dedicated winter tires? If not you should consider it. The difference between an all-season year round tire and a tire used only for the snowy season is like night and day. For those of you who may not have the extra funds to do this, you may want to consider saving extra cash so in the future this becomes available to you.

Carry emergency items in your trunk. A flashlight (with working batteries please), blanket, fresh water, snacks, a cell phone, road hazard beacons such as flares or the reflective triangles and also make sure your factory equipped spare tire and jack are in place. Kitty litter not only provides extra weight but can also help provide traction if your ever stuck in a snow bank. If you have a small snow shovel that will also help dig your way out of a sticky situation.

Hopefully this season will be safe and accident free, but with a little planning you can make sure that if it does turn sour you are prepared. Like a wise man once told me in boy scouts once: it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Until next time!

Diesel Engines: 3 Tips for A Smooth Running Winter

by Brad, Cars for Keeps Mechanic

Brad is a new employee here in the shop, and with a degree from UTI Automotive School in Chicago, he's been a wonderful resource for the shop. We're happy to welcome him to the team!

From new Volkswagens to older Mercedes to many of you truck owners out there, diesel is becoming more and more popular. With that in mind, I thought you should know some tips for keeping your diesel engines running smooth through the winter.

First: Park your diesel inside if you can. Even if you do park them outside, most diesels have a block heater that will help if you plug them in. If you don’t have a block heater and can't park inside, it may be worth your time to invest in an electric blanket for those cold nights. The reason for keeping them warm is that unlike gasoline, they run off of heat. The fuel is compressed until it ignites off of the heat. So keeping the motor warm will allow for quicker cold starts. This is not only a convenience, but it will also help the engine last longer.

Second: Once you get the engine started, you will want to let it run for a few minutes before driving. The motor needs time to warm up before it can run efficiently. If you start and drive away immediately, you will get worse fuel mileage because some of the fuel will not burn. You will also see a loss in power.

Third: Have your battery tested. A weak or low battery will give you problems. Battery power changes with the temperature, so the colder it is the weaker the battery is in any situation. With lowered temperatures, the oil in any engine thickens, so it takes more power from the battery to start. If you consider these factors and add in the fact that cranking on a diesel is already strenuous on the battery, you find that diesel engines are more prone to battery failure in winter - so be sure to start the winter out on a full battery.

I hope these tips help you have a worry free winter with your diesel!

How to Prevent Cold-Weather Stalls: Winterizing your Battery

by Mike, Cars for Keeps Mechanic

Hunting season is fast approaching, and that means it is time to at least start THINKING about winterizing your vehicle. Have you ever jumped inside your car to head to work in the morning to find your car will not start? It's happened to the best of us, but there are a few simple things you can do to help prevent this scenario from happening to you this winter.

Something to keep in mind is that our car's battery loses about a third of its starting power when the temps dip down into the 30's. In addition, our driving habits in the winter make it less likely the alternator will be able to fully recharge our car battery as we drive. For example, we tend to drive less often and we drive shorter distances in the winter, we constantly run the defrost and we are using our headlights more than in the warmer months - all putting a larger load on the alternator.

So what can you do?

1) Take a Peek Under the Hood: Have your battery checked before winter hits to make sure your terminals are tight and your battery is not corroded. (Stop in at Cars For Keeps & We'll do it FREE!)

2) Turn "Stuff" Off: Turn off your blowers and accessories when you turn off your car so there isn't as large of a load on your battery when you go to start your vehicle again. Turn your headlights on after you start your vehicle, NOT before.

3) Park Inside: Park your vehicle in a garage if you have one. This will help keep the battery somewhat warmer.

4) Pay Attention to Your Headlights: Do they dim and brighten on occasion? If so, stop by Cars4Keeps and one of our technicians can test your alternator for you.

5) Listen to Your Vehicle Start: Do you notice your car is having trouble turning over (starting), but once it is running everything seems normal? This may indicate that your battery has a low charge, weak connection or strater getting ready to leave you walking.

The last thing any of us need this winter is to be stranded somewhere with flakes swirling around us and a car that refuses to start. Be proactive and take winterizing your vehicle seriously this year. While there is more to it than batteries and alternators, a quick stop into Cars4Keeps is all you need to get your car in top winter condition.

See you soon,
Mike