Snow Tire FAQs: Michigan Winter Driving Essentials

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

If you've lived in Michigan your entire life, like me, you understand how easy it is to become helpless to the winter elements. If you're new to the area, then you're in for a treat; Michigan's legendary lake effect snow is beautiful, unpredictable and an absolute horror for unprepared winter travelers. While there's not much we can do about keeping our cars from being buried in snow drifts or coated in ice every morning, we can do something about making sure our cars remain on the road - once we've managed to get there.

Here are a few basic facts you should know about snow tires. Check out the YouTube video at the end of this post if you don't believe tread really makes a difference. Which car will you be?

Aren't all-weather tires good enough for winter?

No. Again, I refer you to the video in this post for proof. All-weather tires are designed for dry and wet conditions in warm weather, but they're in no way prepared to give tread on black ice, packed snow and sandy slush. Snow tires are specially made with softer rubber and carefully placed grooves which quickly wear down on dry pavement - which is why you should never leave your snow tires on past spring...unless you like buying new snow tires every year.

When should I put on my snow tires?

Well, how brave are you? If you're a daredevil like me, you may intentionally wait until after the first snowfall just to test your ice-racing skills. For the rest of you, who value your and your family's safety above thrill, it's best to have snow tires put on before the first snowfall, which, in Michigan, could be anytime between October 15th and December 30th. Typically, having snow tires put on a few weeks before Thanksgiving is plenty early enough, and it ensures safe holiday travel.

Should I get studded tires?

This question is best directed to your tire dealer or auto repair shop (I'm sure Dennis has a strong opinion), but there aren't very many situations where studded tires help you more than regular snow tires - in some environments, studded tires can actually give you less traction. Studs are only good for packed snow and ice, and they will hinder traction in thick snow, slush and dry pavement. So unless you're commuting across the tundra in Alaska, sticking to unstudded snow tires is a safe bet.

Should I get two snow tires or four?

Tire dealers and some mechanics have a strong opinion on this question, too. But for those of us who would prefer not to spend an extra $250 on two superfluous snow tires, here are the bare facts: front wheel drive cars should at least have both front wheels equipped with snow tires, and likewise, rear wheel drive cars should at least have snow tires on both rear wheels. All wheel drive automobiles, of course, should have four snow tires. It's true that having snow tires on all four wheels, even on front and rear wheel drive cars, provides ideal traction, but having only powered wheels fitted with snow tires will still provide far more traction than regular summer or all-weather tires.

For rear wheel drive owners, remember to throw some weight in the back. Keeping your summer tires or some bricks in the trunk - or bed - will give you an extra boost in traction.

Safe driving!

A Woman's Point of View: Cars for Keeps Turns 20

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

Remembering birthdates, wedding anniversary’s, other important anniversary dates such as: first kiss, first date, first time driving by yourself, first day you met “Him”. It is mostly a woman thing. On the other hand, men tend to remember important dates in the future. The date of the Super Bowl, the opening day of hunting season, and the date when his tax refund should arrive. In typical male fashion, Cars for Keeps' 20th anniversary whizzed right over Rob's head this year. Still, it's not too late to pause for a moment and think about what 20 years of quality repair service has meant.

On November 7, 1989, Rob Hopp took a giant step of faith and courage when he opened the doors of his new business, which was then called Automotive Advantage. There have been some changes since then; a new location and a new name, but the foundation the company was built upon remains the same. To serve the customer with integrity. To give every car a life of at least 250,000 miles, one car at a time. To always use sound business ethics. To give the customer all the information they need so they can make the decisions that are appropriate for them at the time. And my personal favorite: interacting with female customers by educating and informing them respectfully about automotive matters, so they feel comfortable dealing with Cars For Keeps.

We have the best customers in the world. Thank you for your continuous support over the years. Thank you Rob, for giving back to the community that means so much to you. Good Job!

Happy Birthday to Cars for Keeps: 20 Years of Quality Service

by Dennis Sweet, Service Manager at Cars for Keeps.

Happy Birthday sounds nice at any age. Some people would like to quit having birthdays once they've reached a certain age. Well, I say bring on the birthdays. In case any you are wondering what I am rambling about, I am not talking about myself; I am talking about Cars for Keeps.

As of November 1, 2009 we are 20 years old - hurray! For us, that means 20 years of helping people like yourselves keep your vehicles as long as you wanted to. Here’s to another 20 years of great clients and the satisfaction of being able to help people by keeping their cars healthy.

Thank you to all who have made these last years so rewarding. You have made saying happy birthday worth it.

Until next time,

Dennis

Top 4 Car Myths - True or Untrue?

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

You hear the craziest things about how to maintain your car. And let's admit it: most of us DO crazy things - or worse, we do things to our cars based on rumors and myths rather than concrete mechanical knowledge. In an age when most of us get 90% of our car knowledge from movies like "Gone in Sixty Seconds", we could probably all use a little maintenance myth-busting that helps us know which mythical advice to follow and which to throw out the window.

1) Always keep your gas tank full. This is a major point of contention between my husband and me. Seeing how far I can get the needle to go below the big red E is like a sport for me - if worst comes to worst, I can always swerve to get the last remaining dregs into the combustion chamber. My husband is far more practical and points out the safety of having a full gas tank.

As it turns out, keeping a full gas tank not only means that you can jump in the car for trips to the emergency room without stopping for gas, but it also prevents water from getting in the tank. Particularly during cold winter months, condensed water forms on the inside of an empty tank, causing improper flow and, at times, stalling. I've had this happen numerous times; my poor little Focus even conked out on the freeway once when I'd been running it on fumes. Turns out, it just wanted a full tank to push the water out.

2) Premium gas will mean better mileage and fewer repairs. My penny-pinching side is happy to report that this is relatively bogus. With today's fuel standards, even low and mid grades of gasoline have detergents and other additives that keep everything running smooth. Additionally, the mileage you'll gain with premium isn't nearly big enough to justify the cost. Unless you have a supercharged engine or a Hemi, premium doesn't make much of a difference.

3) Always warm up your car. As unpleasant as it is to slosh through powder in your pajamas, this one is actually an excellent idea, as it benefits both driver and the car. Particularly on those nostril-freezing winter mornings Michigan is so famous for, giving your car a few minutes to warm allows it to move oil and other fluids to where they need to go. The difference in car function can be tantamount to the safety difference between a driver stepping into a warm interior and gazing out of a clear windshield and a driver gripping an icy steering wheel and asthmatically jerking from the cold.

4) Wait a while before going through a car wash after repairs. I was shocked to see in our analytics report that someone had searched the term "how long after repairs can I go through the carwash", but hey - I've believed crazier myths. Let's let Rob tackle this question: "I am surprised how frequently this question comes up and have found that most of the questioners have had body repairs done to their vehicles where the body man recommended waiting a certain period before washing the car. In the mechanical repair field, there are very few situations where the vehicle cannot be washed or driven right away. If such an occasion arises, typically, the vehicle is kept for follow-up and road testing to ensure a complete repair."

Safe driving!

Car Personification: True Love

by Colette, Office Manager for Cars for Keeps

The Macho Machine is big, dark and dangerous looking. Exactly what attracts the female heart. He radiates so much power that he vibrates even when standing still. He hones his masculine skills by exercising his Hemi regularly. (Does anyone out there know what a Hemi* is exactly?) His chrome body armor shines to perfection, there are no dents in his big, beautiful body and every piece of his machinery works perfectly. He is the epitome of automobile perfection. He first sees the silver Driveway Diva when she drives - no, glides - into the driveway next to him looking like a drop of Mercury. She smells of expensive, new soft leather, she hums soft, low and throaty, and has the most flirty headlamps he has ever seen. She is small, compact and runs like a well oiled machine, the epitome of automobile perfection. One look from each of them, and they fall in love. (If cars could reproduce, can you imagine what their offspring would look like?)

OK, so we all know that a lot of women like to humanize their things. Well, so do a lot of men. They call their boats “she” and give them mermaid names. Right? Anyway, we have these two wonderful cars that want a long future together. Just like people, they want to stay healthy by keeping their fluids flushed and clean, their brakes reaction time on target, all their internal parts working together smoothly with clean oil, their transmission working with precision, and all their sensors alert. Keeping our cars performing well takes regular care and awareness of their needs. I predict this love affair will have a long and happy life.

*A Hemi is a type of engine. (Although all I remember are the human ‘hunks’ they used in the commercials.)

Avoiding Auto Repair Scams: How to Show Mechanics You're Smart Too

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

Cars are complicated, but it’s not rocket science. We just happen to know cars really well.

One of the best questions you can ask is “why?” If you aren’t working with a salesperson who can make it understandable, perhaps you are working with the wrong one. If the representative acts like they just want to show you how smart they are, watch for other red flags.

Early in my career, I worked under a salesman that was very car smart but had the ethics of an ambulance chaser. The tipping point was when he took advantage of a woman who said she couldn’t afford a procedure that would not cause a reliability problem or danger, especially short term. He advised, in his puffed up “all knowing” manner, that she shouldn’t drive over 35 miles an hour until she got it taken care of.

She came in the next Monday to have it done, exclaiming that “It took so long to drive to Cadillac at 35 & lots of other drivers were rude to me”.

Most consumers are pretty good at listening to their gut feelings. But when people feel put on the spot concerning a car repair, they can be very susceptible to manipulation. So ask the old reporter's questions: Who, What, Where When & Why? If you feel like the salesperson is evading or spinning the answer, push them a bit. Don’t be afraid to insist on having it explained - and, if necessary, to walk away (hopefully drive away, beware when a shop dares to hold your car hostage).

Here are some common questions that you might feel are “dumb” to ask, but they're actually very smart. It IS your money we're talking about, after all.

1) What happens if I don’t do this service? Good answer: “If this part fails, the wheel could separate from the car without warning.” Lousy answer: “The wheel WILL fall off and cause a crash.”

2) Why does it need to have that done? Good answer: “It is worn beyond the safe point”, or “It will help the ____ last longer and save you money in the long run.” Lousy answer: “Because the Mechanic said so”, or “It’ll cost you a lot more if you don’t.”

3) If I go ahead with your recommendation, what are the potential surprises? Is this estimate solid? The answer should avoid scare tactics, yet an honest salesperson will explain any potential pitfalls, their and their mechanics' opinion of the odds. They should also guarantee NOT to exceed the estimate without contacting you to discuss the findings, options and cost of the change.

4) I only plan to keep this car for another year. Is there any way to save some money on this service? Most of the time less expensive/lower quality parts can be had. A good salesperson will work with you to control costs without compromising too much quality or safety.

Happy Motoring!

Tire Rotation: Switching it Up for Longer Lasting Tires

by Marjorie, Social Media Manager for Cars for Keeps

We've all heard that having your tires rotated regularly is important. But why? And what exactly does a tire rotation entail?

On the spectrum of crucial maintenance, tire rotation ranks slightly below oil changes, but it's still an important part of saving much larger maintenance costs down the road. In this case, the money you'll be saving down the road will be the expense of a set of new tires twice as often as necessary.

Front tires will wear twice as fast if left unrotated as they will with regular rotations. This happens to front tires in particular because front tires are responsible for turning, and each turn causes extra friction between the road and the tire. This friction doubles the wear, causing front tires to lose traction much faster than rear tires.

Moving rear tires to the back and back tires to the front not only balances out the wear caused by front wheel turning, but it balances uneven tread on all the other tires as well. Rear tires that are more worn on the outside than the inside can be rearranged so the worn sections receive less wear. Rotating tires extends the life of all four tires, and it can also prevent - or reduce problems caused by - misalignment.

Good tire rotation looks something like this:

When to rotate your tires. The experts' advice varies, but it's generally consented that rotating tires on every other oil change does the trick. Of course, if you wait 10,000 miles to change your oil, you might want to make that every oil change - or get your oil changed more often. Depending on the amount of wear your vehicle gets, having tires rotated every 4,000 miles or so should keep them wearing evenly for a long time.

Should you decide it's time for a tire rotation, be sure to check out Cars4Keeps.com's coupon page. Among this month's coupons is a complete maintenance package including a AAA inspection, oil and filter change and tire inspections and rotations for only $28.

Come in and see the waiting room Colette has been raving about.

Safe driving!